Coin of Justinian I c. 545 - 546

Curator: Here we have a coin, minted under the reign of Justinian I. What strikes you about it? Editor: It feels weighty, substantial. You can almost feel the press of the die used to stamp the image, evidence of the labor involved in its creation. Curator: Indeed. Note the iconography: Justinian's image, framed by carefully rendered inscriptions and symbolic elements. Observe how the composition reinforces his authority. Editor: And the materials themselves speak to power—bronze, meant to circulate, facilitating trade, and solidifying the empire's reach. Curator: Quite, but it is also the artistry itself which elevates it. The coin’s images are clearly laid out and neatly rendered. Editor: True, and thinking about how worn the bronze appears, its distribution and use tells a rich story of the economy of the time. Curator: An interesting lens for looking at power, indeed. Editor: It certainly is.