Coin of Justinian I c. 551s

Curator: Here we have a coin of Justinian I, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It looks incredibly worn, like something pulled from the earth itself, imbued with time. Curator: Indeed. Consider the iconographic program, though. The emperor's portrait on one side, the distinct markings of his reign on the other. These symbols, almost obscured, were once clear declarations of power. Editor: But what about the copper itself? Think of the mines, the labor involved in extraction and refinement. Each coin represents countless hours of unseen work. Curator: You bring a vital perspective. Yet, the artistry lies in the precise inscription, the balance of the composition within such a small format. Editor: Both matter. The coin whispers stories of power, yes, but also of the hands that shaped it, both artist and laborer. Curator: A fitting reminder that even the smallest object can contain a wealth of meanings.