Follis of Justin II, Kyzikos 567 - 568

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this Follis of Justin II from Kyzikos. Looking at it now, it's immediately striking how its patinated surface tells a story of centuries. Editor: It does. The coin's texture and muted palette evoke a strong sense of its historical weight. Considering its creation during Justin II's reign, what sociopolitical narratives were being emphasized? Curator: The imagery likely served as propaganda, reinforcing the emperor's authority and perhaps conveying specific religious or ideological messages to the populace. Editor: From a formal standpoint, the incised lines creating the figures and symbols—what do they tell us? The lines and figures give us a window into the symbolic language of the Byzantine world. Curator: Indeed. Power, religion, and perhaps the promise of stability – all compressed onto this small, weighty object. Editor: A tangible link to a world so different, yet so foundational to our own. Curator: A potent reminder that even small objects can carry immense historical and cultural significance.