Coin of Justinian I c. 539 - 540

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justinian I, from the Harvard Art Museums. The details are amazing, but it's hard to imagine the power it once held. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about power, representation, and the construction of identity within the Byzantine Empire. Consider how Justinian I, through this mass-produced object, projected an image of himself as a divinely sanctioned ruler. What does it suggest about the relationship between the emperor and his subjects? Editor: So, it's like propaganda? Curator: In a way, yes, but it’s more nuanced. The coin circulated not just as currency but also as a constant visual reminder of Justinian's authority. It reinforced social hierarchies and cultural norms. Think about the semiotics of power embedded within the imagery. Editor: I never thought a coin could be so complex. Curator: Precisely! These objects are not just artifacts but reflections of the socio-political landscape in which they were created and circulated.