Coin of Justinian I c. 540 - 541

Curator: Here we have a coin of Justinian I from the Harvard Art Museums. The piece weighs just over 20 grams. Editor: It looks quite weathered. It gives off a feeling of antiquity, of course, but also of survival, I think. Curator: Absolutely, time and use have certainly left their mark. Note the careful detail of the emperor's portrait, juxtaposed with the large 'M' on the reverse, indicating its monetary value. Editor: Coins are inherently political, aren't they? Justianian’s image broadcast his authority, while the value declared the empire’s economic power. Who had access to this coin, and what systems of exchange was it a part of? Curator: A fascinating point to consider! The coin’s formal elements, such as the crisp lines of the inscription, convey imperial order. Editor: But that order was built on complex social relations. A small object revealing big questions. Curator: Precisely. A rich object, indeed, to ponder on its own terms. Editor: It makes you wonder who touched this coin, and what stories it could tell about the Byzantine Empire.