Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 539

Curator: This coin of Justinian I, housed at the Harvard Art Museums, is a tangible artifact of Byzantine governance. The weight, over 21 grams, speaks to the material realities of power. Editor: It's remarkably aged; you can feel the weight of history, the touch of so many hands through the ages. It evokes a sense of imperial authority and the Byzantine Empire's vast reach. Curator: Exactly. The copper alloy provides insight into the economic and technological landscape of the period. The production of such coinage signifies resource management and skilled labor. Editor: It also speaks to the complex interplay of power, religion, and representation. Justinian’s image, stamped onto each coin, disseminates his power and authority through visual propaganda. Curator: Indeed. The coin served as a tool of economic and social control, facilitating trade and reinforcing the emperor's image. Editor: Studying this coin helps us deconstruct how empires legitimized themselves through the control of material culture and symbolic representation. Curator: Precisely, it's more than currency; it's a miniature monument to Byzantine craftsmanship and political ideology. Editor: Absolutely, considering its historical and cultural implications, it is an extremely valuable artifact.