Pentanummium of Justin I, Nicomedia 518 - 527

Curator: This is a Pentanummium, a bronze coin minted during the reign of Justin I in Nicomedia. Editor: There's a stark contrast in condition between the regal portrait and the worn, almost ghostly reverse side with its Chi-Rho symbol. Curator: Indeed. The iconography broadcasts Justin's authority; coins like this were crucial for disseminating imperial images and establishing political control. Editor: But that Chi-Rho suggests something more, doesn’t it? The early adoption of Christian symbolism fundamentally changes the narrative, doesn't it? This coin becomes more than just currency; it is a cultural artifact. Curator: Absolutely. It is through examining these objects we can decode broader shifts in power and faith. Editor: Examining its visual signs helps us imagine Nicomedia during Justin’s rule.