Pentammium of Justinian I c. 6th century

Editor: Here we have the Pentammium of Justinian I. It's very small, but something about the symbol on its face feels powerful. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the Chi-Rho symbol. This monogram of Christ—the intersection of Greek letters Chi and Rho—became a potent emblem of imperial power under Justinian. It’s a visual assertion of divine authority. Editor: So, it's not just money; it's a statement. Curator: Precisely! And think about the tactile experience. Holding this coin, one might feel connected to a vast empire and a complex system of belief. A tangible link to a distant past. Editor: It’s amazing how much meaning can be packed into something so small.