Follis of Justin II 574 - 575

Editor: This is the Follis of Justin II from Harvard Art Museums. It's a small, bronze coin. The wear and tear give it a tactile sense of history. What can we learn about Justin II from this coin? Curator: Coins like this are powerful tools of imperial propaganda. They circulated widely, carrying Justin II's image and symbols of his reign to the masses. What message do you think he was trying to convey? Editor: Perhaps of a strong and stable rule? Curator: Precisely. And considering the political turmoil of the time, with wars and internal conflicts, controlling the visual narrative was crucial for legitimizing his power. It's interesting to consider how even everyday objects can function as political statements. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, seeing it as a form of early media influencing public perception. Curator: Exactly! It makes you wonder how different our understanding of history might be without these small, yet significant, artifacts.