Coin of Justinian I c. 541 - 542

Editor: This coin of Justinian I, at the Harvard Art Museums, has such a worn texture, almost smoothed away by time and use. What can you tell me about the context and production of this coin? Curator: This coin tells a story of empire through material means. Its bronze composition speaks to accessible production. The minting process itself, a form of mass production, highlights the empire's reach and control over resources and trade. How does its circulation reflect the economy? Editor: So, its value comes from the symbolic power enacted through its use and circulation in society? Curator: Precisely! The coin is not just currency but a tool for disseminating imperial power through labor, trade, and material culture. Consider how its creation and distribution sustained the regime. Editor: It’s amazing how much history is embedded in one small object, shaping and being shaped by socio-economic forces. Curator: Indeed, it shows that art is more than just aesthetics; it’s deeply intertwined with the very material conditions of its making and use.