Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 539

Curator: Here we have a coin of Justinian I, a copper piece held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. Its patina suggests a long and complex history. Editor: It’s compelling, isn't it? The verdigris lends the object a sense of temporal depth, almost as if it were exhumed from the very foundations of history. Curator: The coin’s obverse features Justinian, depicted with clear Byzantine imperial regalia, while the reverse showcases a large "M," possibly indicating the coin's value or mint. Editor: Look closely at the coin's reverse; the "M" flanks the inscriptions. How do we decode its significance? It's a symbol of power and fiscal authority, particularly for the Eastern Roman Empire. Curator: Absolutely. The formal arrangement around the "M" and Justinian's iconography on the obverse adhere to a strict imperial visual language. It is all about the semiotics of rule. Editor: And it speaks to how rulers like Justinian used material culture to propagate their authority, connecting the divine right of kings to everyday economic life. It seems such a small object, but its social weight is enormous. Curator: Indeed. The coin, through its design and material, echoes the complexities of power and faith in Justinian's era, a tiny window into a vast empire. Editor: Considering its age, it makes you reflect on how symbols of power persist and evolve, echoing through millennia.