Coin of Justinian I c. 550 - 551

Curator: Let's discuss this fascinating bronze coin of Justinian I, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's surprisingly weighty, isn't it? You can feel the history in its aged patina. It speaks of labor, of the materials extracted and processed to create something that would circulate amongst the populace. Curator: Indeed, and consider the image of Justinian himself. His portrait on currency served as a constant reminder of imperial power and legitimacy. Coinage was a powerful tool for disseminating political ideology. Editor: Absolutely. But think, too, about the hands that struck this coin, the furnaces that melted the bronze. It is a testament to a whole economy dedicated to the projection of power. Curator: It's incredible how a single object can embody so much of the social and political landscape of its time. Editor: Precisely. It reminds us of the tangible connection between power, production, and everyday life.