Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 542

Curator: Here we have a Coin of Justinian I, an artifact reflecting the power and reach of the Byzantine Empire. Editor: Its worn texture and muted green patina convey a real sense of age, of stories buried beneath the surface. Curator: Indeed. Coins like these weren't just currency; they were tools of propaganda, circulating the emperor's image and authority throughout his vast territories. The symbolism is unmistakable. Editor: I'm struck by the low relief, almost as if the image emerges organically from the metal itself. The circular format reinforces its completeness, its symbolic world contained. Curator: Absolutely. These coins offer a tangible connection to the political and economic realities of the Byzantine world. Editor: It's fascinating how something so small can carry such weight, bridging the gap between the material and the historical.