Coin of Justinian I c. 540 - 541

Curator: This coin, attributed to Justinian I, makes me think about the power of iconography in shaping perceptions of leadership. Editor: It's incredibly tactile, isn't it? The worn surface tells a story of exchange, of tangible value moving through society. Curator: Absolutely, its creation and circulation served a specific socio-political purpose. Consider how its imagery aimed to legitimize Justinian's reign and propagate imperial ideology. Editor: I see the symbolic weight in the cross and inscriptions. How did Byzantine subjects perceive this portable piece of propaganda? Did it reinforce their belief in the divine right of the Emperor? Curator: The coin was a statement on religious identity, a visible endorsement of Christian values in a period marked by intense theological debates and social unrest. Editor: Thinking about the coin’s journey from the mint to the market, it offers a glimpse into the vast administrative apparatus that underpinned Justinian’s reign. Curator: Indeed. It’s a fascinating artifact. Editor: I agree. A powerful relic that speaks volumes.