Coin of Justinian I c. 543 - 565

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justinian I. The state of preservation hints at the many hands it passed through. What does this object tell us about power, Curator? Curator: It reminds us that even the smallest objects can be powerful symbols of authority. Think about the image of Justinian stamped onto it. What did his image mean to different people across his empire, especially those marginalized by his rule? Editor: So the value isn't just monetary, but about the message it carries. Curator: Exactly. Consider how coinage reinforced social hierarchies and projected imperial ideology into everyday life. How can we deconstruct the intended meaning versus the lived experience of those under Justinian’s reign? Editor: That really changes how I see such a small object; it’s a lens onto a complex society. Curator: Indeed. Let’s keep questioning the narratives embedded in these historical artifacts.