Coin of Justinian I c. 527 - 565

Curator: This is a gold coin of Justinian I, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a certain weightiness despite its small size, and a simple beauty—a reminder of empire and individual power. Curator: Absolutely. These coins functioned as powerful propaganda. The depiction of Justinian on one side, and a symbolic representation of victory on the other, were designed to convey his authority and the strength of the Byzantine Empire. Editor: It's interesting to think about how this object, so small, was meant to be disseminated widely, touching so many hands. What message did its circulation create about class, access, and power? Curator: Precisely! These coins are not just about economics; they embody the socio-political structures of the time and allow us to examine the emperor’s influence on social ideologies. Editor: Looking at this, I'm reminded that even the smallest objects can speak volumes about the past and power. Curator: Indeed, and it invites us to question the narratives they construct and reinforce, even today.