Coin of Justinian II c. 705 - 711

Editor: This is a gold coin of Justinian II. The use of gold seems really declarative, doesn't it? What can you tell me about the coin's significance? Curator: The intrinsic value of the gold underscores the Byzantine state's wealth and power. Consider the labor extraction, the mining, the minting process – all reflecting an imperial economy built upon control and consumption. Editor: So, it's not just about the image; it's about the material itself? Curator: Precisely. The coin acted as a tool, one deliberately crafted to circulate not just capital, but also to broadcast authority throughout the Byzantine world. Editor: I hadn’t considered how much the coin's materiality shapes its message. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. The coin is more than a portrait; it's a testament to an entire economic and political system.