Coin of Justinian I c. 562 - 563

Curator: Here we have a glimpse into the past: a Coin of Justinian I, an object weighing 17.46 grams housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks incredibly worn, almost like a relic unearthed from the deep sea. The color gradients of brown and teal evoke a sense of age and mystery. Curator: Indeed. The coin's design features clear, if eroded, imperial iconography. The “M” could symbolize a denomination or perhaps a location under Justinian's vast rule. It speaks to Byzantine power and administration. Editor: But what did daily life look like for those who used it? This coin represents more than currency; it reflects the socio-economic realities and power dynamics of the time, the lives of those both benefiting from and being crushed under imperial rule. Curator: And yet, the artistic merit lies in the engraving, its simple design speaking volumes through careful line work and deliberate placement. Editor: Perhaps. But for me, this piece is less about its design and more about who might have clutched it, what transactions it facilitated, and what stories it could tell if it could speak. Curator: I appreciate how this artifact highlights the longevity of form and function. Editor: And I how it reminds us that history isn't just about emperors, but about the everyday people whose lives were impacted by them.