Coin of Justin II c. 565 - 578

Editor: We're looking at a Coin of Justin II from the Harvard Art Museums. The coin is small and made of a dark metal. The wear and tear suggests it has been through a lot. How do you interpret this work based on its material qualities? Curator: The coin's materiality is intrinsically linked to its function. The very act of minting, of imprinting an image upon a metal disc, attempts to fix and solidify power. Its worn texture introduces entropy into this system. Editor: Entropy? Curator: Indeed. The abrasions and corrosion destabilize the intended clarity of the iconographic program. What was once a legible statement of imperial authority is now partially obscured, prompting us to consider the ephemeral nature of power itself. Editor: So the coin's damage is part of its message. I never would have thought of that. Thanks! Curator: The form itself narrates a story. A useful exercise in visual literacy.