Coin of Justinian I c. 545 - 546

Curator: Here we have a coin, dating from the reign of Justinian I. Its existence highlights how rulers throughout history have used monetary systems to project power. Editor: The way the metal has patinated gives it such a lovely green hue. You can almost feel the history embedded in the material. Curator: Absolutely. Coins were a crucial medium for disseminating the emperor's image and asserting his authority throughout the Byzantine Empire. Editor: And the repetitive act of striking these coins—it represents a kind of industrialized artistry, doesn’t it? The production itself tells a story about the empire’s resources and labor practices. Curator: That’s an excellent point. The coin not only functioned as currency but also as a propaganda tool, shaping public perception of the emperor and his reign. Editor: Seeing the wear and tear on this little object, I’m struck by the countless transactions, the lives it touched as it circulated. It's a tangible connection to the past. Curator: Indeed, examining this coin reminds us of how art and power are intertwined, even in the most humble of objects. Editor: Agreed. And how deeply the material world reflects the social and political structures of its time.