Coin of Justinian I c. 543 - 544

Curator: Looking at this artifact, I immediately feel its age, its journeys. It has a patina of time, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed. What we have here is a coin minted under Justinian I, a Byzantine Emperor. It's a fascinating object, considering the sociopolitical power dynamics it represents. Curator: The face on one side—it's worn, of course, but I can still feel the weight of that gaze, the ambition, the idea of empire distilled into this little circle. Editor: This coin’s existence is linked to Justinian's efforts to consolidate power and standardize currency. His image served as a constant reminder of his authority in an era of shifting alliances and religious strife. Curator: It's almost like a tiny, portable piece of propaganda. And the reverse side with the large "M," that represents the denomination, maybe? Editor: Precisely. And note how these coins were instrumental in facilitating trade, taxation, and resource distribution—critical mechanisms for maintaining social control and power in the Byzantine Empire. Curator: Holding a coin like this, you can almost hear the echoes of bustling marketplaces, the clinking of coins, the aspirations and anxieties of people long gone. What a potent reminder of history’s cyclical nature. Editor: Yes. This artifact bridges complex economic and social histories. It helps us connect the abstract concept of power to the tangible realities of everyday life.