Coin of Justinian II c. 705

Editor: Here we have a gold coin of Justinian II at the Harvard Art Museums. The imagery feels very formal and stylized. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: Well, this coin isn't just currency; it's a carefully constructed piece of propaganda. Consider the choice of gold, a visual declaration of wealth and power in the Byzantine empire. What do you notice about the figure of Justinian himself? Editor: He looks very regal, and almost…divine? Curator: Exactly! The coin presents Justinian as an almost Christ-like ruler, legitimizing his authority through religious imagery and visual rhetoric. How might this coin function within Byzantine society? Editor: I guess it served as a constant reminder of the emperor's power, both economic and spiritual. It's more than just a coin. Curator: Precisely. It reveals the complex interplay between power, religion, and visual culture in the Byzantine world.