Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 592 - 593

This bronze coin was created by the authority of Maurice Tiberius, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire from 582 to 602 AD. Coins like this one played a crucial role in the social and economic life of the Byzantine Empire. The imagery on this coin presents a fascinating intersection of power, religion, and imperial ideology. On one side, we see a bust of Maurice Tiberius himself, adorned with imperial regalia. The reverse displays the Chi-Rho symbol, a prominent Christian emblem, flanked by the Greek letters Alpha and Omega. This combination of imperial portraiture and Christian symbolism speaks volumes about the evolving nature of Byzantine authority, where the emperor was seen as God's representative on Earth. Historians consult a range of sources, like numismatic studies, Byzantine chronicles, and theological treatises, to understand the full significance of this coin. By examining it, we gain insight into the cultural, religious, and political landscape of the early Byzantine world.