Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 592 - 593

This copper coin of Maurice Tiberius, now at Harvard, is a material witness to the Byzantine Empire at the end of the 6th century. It’s a small object, but its symbolic weight is immense. Coins were powerful tools of propaganda. This one features an image of Emperor Maurice Tiberius, adorned with symbols of power that were designed to project authority and legitimacy. The iconography is deliberately crafted to convey an image of a strong, divinely sanctioned ruler. It speaks to the Byzantine era’s complex negotiations between military power, religious authority, and dynastic succession. On the reverse side, you can see the Greek inscription "ANNO," which signifies the year of the emperor’s reign. These aren’t just economic tools, they are statements of imperial power made material, literally stamped onto the lives of the people. They served as a constant reminder of the emperor's presence and authority, shaping the collective identity of the Byzantine world.