Coin of Justinian I c. 529 - 533

Curator: Here we have a copper coin issued during the reign of Justinian I, bearing the weight of 16.71 grams. It speaks of power and legacy, doesn't it? Editor: It looks like it's been through a lot; tarnished and worn. You can see the story of its circulation etched into its surface. Curator: Absolutely! The coin’s imagery, with the emperor on one side and the large "M" representing 40 nummi on the other, reveals a complex system of symbols intended to legitimize authority. Editor: That "M" isn't just about currency though, is it? It's a bold statement of value, a visible reminder of the emperor's economic control in everyday life. Curator: Precisely! The symbols carry a weight that transcends their immediate function. They speak to the collective hopes and beliefs of an era. Editor: But whose hopes and beliefs? How did this coin function for those on the margins of Justinian's empire? It's a tool of control, as much as of exchange. Curator: A valid point. These objects are never neutral, are they? Editor: Indeed. Looking at it now, I am reminded of the uneven distribution of power and prosperity then, and even now. Curator: Well, it seems even small artifacts hold entire worlds within them.