Coin of Justin II c. 565 - 578

Editor: Here we have a "Coin of Justin II," an artifact from Harvard Art Museums. Its worn surface tells a story, and it makes me wonder, what kind of economic system necessitated its production? Curator: Exactly! This isn't just about the coin as a symbol of power, but about the entire system of labor and resource extraction that made it possible. Who mined the metal, who minted it, and how did its circulation impact daily life? Editor: So, understanding the coin means understanding the societal structures of the time? Curator: Precisely. We must consider the means of production and distribution. How does this single coin reflect broader patterns of trade, consumption, and even exploitation within the Byzantine Empire? Editor: That makes me think about its value versus the effort it took to produce. Thanks!