Coin of Justinian I c. 558 - 559

Curator: This is a Coin of Justinian I, currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The way the metal has aged gives it such a weighted, somber feeling. Curator: It's a glimpse into the reign of Justinian, a period marked by legal reforms and significant building projects. These coins served not just as currency, but as propaganda. Editor: Note the details. The lines composing the face, the bold "M" on the reverse—each element carefully arranged to convey authority. Curator: Absolutely, and consider the context. This coin circulated in a society grappling with complex social hierarchies and religious divides. Editor: The formal qualities of this coin speak to the power structures of the time. Curator: I find it interesting how a coin like this connects to contemporary conversations about power and representation. Editor: I'm always struck by how simple geometric forms can become tools of expression. Curator: It is a complex relic of a complex past. Editor: Indeed, a small object carrying immense weight.