Half Follis of Justin II, Kyzikos 569 - 570

Curator: Looking at this Half Follis of Justin II, struck in Kyzikos, the initial impression is one of considerable age and wear. Editor: Indeed, the coin's patinated surface and worn details speak volumes. On one side, we see two figures, likely imperial, adorned with what appear to be radiant halos, a very common symbol of the divine right to rule. Curator: The arrangement is quite rigid, almost hieratic. Note how the composition employs strict symmetry to underscore authority. The figures are presented frontally, maximizing their visual impact. Editor: And the Chi-Rho symbol on the reverse! A clear visual assertion of Christian rule, co-opting a powerful symbol to reinforce imperial power and signal protection. Curator: Precisely. The deliberate placement of these symbols is not arbitrary; it's a calculated visual strategy intended to communicate clear messages about power and legitimacy through the coin's structure. Editor: So much history and intention packed into a small object. It really makes you appreciate the weight of symbols and their enduring power.