Follis of Justin I, Nicomedia 518 - 527

Curator: This is a follis of Justin I, minted in Nicomedia. Just look at the wear on it. Editor: Yes, instantly evoking a sense of resilience and endurance. It's powerful how this small object speaks volumes. Curator: As currency, this coin represents not only economic power, but also imperial authority and the complex social structures of the Byzantine Empire. Editor: And the imagery—the bust of Justin, the symbolic figures on the reverse—these are carefully chosen to convey specific messages about the emperor's legitimacy and divine right. Curator: It served as propaganda, reinforcing the existing power dynamics in the society it circulated within. Whose narratives were being valued here, and whose were erased? Editor: Considering the symbolic language encoded within this coin reveals layers of meaning about governance, belief, and identity in that historical context. Interesting. Curator: Absolutely, and perhaps we can now think about the coin as a medium for disseminating power. Editor: Precisely, it encourages us to contemplate the weight of historical symbols in shaping contemporary understanding.