Coin of Justinian II c. 705 - 711

Editor: Here we have a gold coin of Justinian II from the Harvard Art Museums. Its golden sheen is mesmerizing. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Think about the labor involved in extracting and refining the gold, then shaping it into a coin. This wasn't just currency; it was a potent symbol of imperial power and control over resources. How does the imagery on the coin reinforce this idea? Editor: So, it's not just about the image but about the power structures inherent in the coin itself. That's fascinating. Curator: Exactly! The coin represents the economic and social relationships of the Byzantine Empire. It makes me think about art's function and how it reflects on the society that produces it.