Coin of Justinian II c. 705 - 711

Editor: This is a gold coin of Justinian II. It is quite small, yet the imagery is detailed. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: The repetition of the ruler’s image immediately tells us something. Justinian, twice present, once with Christ. It's asserting divine approval and earthly power, intertwined. What does that conjunction evoke for you? Editor: I guess it shows Justinian's ambition to hold both religious and political authority. Curator: Precisely. The imagery on coinage served as constant propaganda, reinforcing the emperor’s legitimacy, connecting him visually to tradition, and to the divine. Each image carefully considered. Editor: I hadn’t considered the propaganda aspect so explicitly. Thanks!