Coin of Justinian I c. 6th century

Curator: Look at the patina on this coin, a Coin of Justinian I, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Such simple composition, two sides each bearing a solitary, powerful symbol. Editor: Yes, powerful in its symbolism, and a bit melancholy, wouldn't you agree? The wear suggests a rich history, stories whispered across centuries. Curator: Indeed. The one side shows the emperor in profile, the other, a bold "R," likely referencing Ravenna, a crucial mint location. Note the stark contrast in texture between the smooth fields and the raised design. Editor: I see this ‘R’ as more than just a reference. It’s the weight of empire, the resonating authority Justinian sought to project—a visual echo of Roman power, cleverly distilled into a single letter. Curator: Cleverly indeed, and economically. The composition balances legibility with artistic expression, a delicate dance between form and function. Editor: Seeing objects like this, touched by countless hands, always connects us to the sweep of human experience, doesn’t it? Curator: It does—and prompts us to appreciate the elegance of distilled visual language.