Follis of Justin II, Constantinople c. 574 - 575

Editor: This is a Follis coin of Justin II from Constantinople. It's incredible to hold something like this and think about who might have used it. What do you see in this piece, in terms of the imagery? Curator: Coins like this are powerful cultural artifacts. The images chosen—the emperor, religious symbols—weren’t just decoration. They were deliberate statements about power, legitimacy, and divine favor. Consider how the symbols would resonate with people daily. How would they interpret the imagery? Editor: So the coin is a symbol itself, beyond just currency? Curator: Precisely. It carries layers of meaning, reinforcing the emperor's authority and connecting him to both earthly and divine realms. It's about imprinting cultural memory. Editor: That makes me think about how we use images today to convey power and influence. Thanks for sharing that. Curator: Indeed, it prompts us to consider the enduring power of images throughout history.