Coin of Justin II c. 565 - 578

Editor: This is a coin of Justin II from the Harvard Art Museums, and it looks incredibly worn. What stories do you think it holds? Curator: Well, this coin isn't just currency; it’s a statement of power, deeply embedded in the Byzantine context. Consider the imagery—the emperor and religious symbols. What narratives of authority and divine right are being perpetuated, and perhaps, challenged by its circulation? Editor: So, it's more than just an image of power; it's an argument for it? Curator: Exactly. It's actively participating in a dialogue about who holds power and why, reflecting and shaping the social and political landscape of its time. Now, how do we read that today? Editor: That gives me a lot to consider. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure.