Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 592 - 593

This coin of Maurice Tiberius, now at Harvard, presents a fascinating study in miniature scale and symbolic density. Its circular form, aged patina of brown and green, immediately speaks of its historical context. On one side, the emperor's portrait is framed by an inscription, while the reverse features a large "M" topped with a cross, flanked by other symbols and letters. The composition, though seemingly simple, is rich in semiotic meaning, where the arrangement of elements conveys power, faith, and imperial authority. Consider the material itself: the coin's weight and metallic composition were carefully controlled to standardize economic transactions. The very act of minting and distributing these coins was a form of propaganda, where the emperor's image and symbolic language reached the farthest corners of his empire, shaping perceptions of his rule. The study of such coins is not just about their aesthetic or historical value, but also about understanding their function within the power structures of their time.