Coin of Justinian I c. 545 - 565

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justinian I, made of gold. The images are worn, but it speaks to the object’s history of material exchange. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This coin is a fascinating document of labor and power. Consider the mining of the gold, the skill required to strike the coin. Its value wasn't inherent; it was assigned, facilitating trade and empire. It represents a complex system of production and consumption. Editor: So, the material itself tells a story of social structures? Curator: Precisely. The gold isn't just pretty; it's a symbol of the social and economic forces at play. Editor: That’s a new way of seeing it for me, thanks!