Coin of Justin II c. 565 - 578

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justin II, whose date is currently unknown. The coin is located here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's so small! What's your interpretation of this piece? Curator: Well, consider the power structures inherent in currency. Who gets to be immortalized on coinage, and what does that say about societal values? What narratives are being reinforced, and whose stories are being erased? Editor: So it's more than just money? Curator: Absolutely. It's a statement of imperial authority, a propaganda tool, and a reflection of the social hierarchies of the time. Currency often dictates and shapes society. How does reflecting on the history of power affect our present? Editor: That's a powerful perspective. I'll never look at a coin the same way again. Curator: Exactly! Questioning these historical objects allows us to critically analyze the power dynamics that continue to shape our world.