Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 591 - 592

This bronze coin was made by or for Maurice Tiberius, who ruled the Byzantine Empire from 582 to 602 AD. As a medium of exchange, coins were the lifeblood of economic activity, and this particular one offers insights into the intertwined nature of power, identity, and representation in the Byzantine world. On one side, we see a portrait of Maurice Tiberius himself, an image intended to project authority and legitimacy. The other side depicts a symbol of value and imperial power. Each element carries meaning, communicating messages about the emperor’s strength, divine favor, and economic stability. Consider how this coin functioned as a tool of imperial propaganda, reaching diverse audiences across the empire. It embodies the complex relationship between rulers and their subjects. This coin serves as a reminder of the human stories embedded within objects, and the ways in which these objects shape our understanding of history.