Coin of Justinian I c. 529 - 539

Curator: I'm struck by the raw, weathered feel of this "Coin of Justinian I," almost as if it carries the weight of centuries in its very texture. Editor: Absolutely. It’s an unassuming thing, but it represents so much. Think about it – this little bronze disc was a tool of imperial power, circulating the image and authority of Justinian throughout his Byzantine realm. Curator: It makes me wonder about the hands it passed through. Imagine the stories this little coin could tell, from bustling marketplaces to soldiers' pouches. Editor: And the iconography! We see Justinian himself on one side, and a clear symbol of Christian authority on the other. It's a powerful statement about the intertwining of church and state. Curator: There's a beauty in its simplicity, a kind of quiet grandeur in such a humble object. Editor: It’s a reminder that art isn't always on a grand scale; even the smallest artifact can reveal a lot about the society that created it. Curator: It feels like holding a whisper from the past. Editor: Precisely. Power distilled into a portable, pocket-sized form.