Coin of Justinian I c. 541 - 542

Curator: Before us is a coin minted under Justinian I, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has such a tactile presence, despite being a digital image. The wear and the verdigris speak of age and history. Curator: Precisely. Notice the intricate relief of Justinian's profile on one side, with its stylized depiction of power and authority, balanced by the large "M," likely indicating the coin's value, on the reverse. Editor: The "M" dominates, doesn't it? Almost eclipsing the smaller symbols around it. It makes me wonder about the weight of commerce and its impact on the empire's cultural symbols. Curator: Indeed, a tension emerges between the emperor's image and the coin's monetary function. The composition suggests a negotiation between imperial ideology and economic realities. Editor: Considering the imagery, one can read it as a physical embodiment of the empire's power—both spiritual and economic. Curator: An insightful perspective, focusing on the interplay between form and historical context. Editor: It all leads to a more nuanced understanding of value and power. Fascinating.