coin of Justinian I 

Curator: This is a coin of Justinian I, located at the Harvard Art Museums. The coin weighs about 22 grams. Editor: It's incredible how a small object can hold so much weight. The wear and tear speak volumes, don’t they? A tangible fragment from the past. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like these were crucial for disseminating the emperor’s image and authority. The portrait itself is a symbol, reinforcing his divine right to rule. Editor: And the large "M" on the reverse, signifying 40 nummi, visually anchored the Byzantine economy. The coin was a statement, both economic and ideological. Curator: Precisely. It reflects the power of the Byzantine state under Justinian, both materially and symbolically. Editor: To hold something like this, you feel a connection to the past, to an empire built on symbolism and power. Curator: Indeed, it’s a potent reminder of how even the smallest objects can carry immense historical and cultural significance.