Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 539

Curator: Here we have a bronze coin of Justinian I, a testament to his reign and influence. Editor: It’s small, but powerfully graphic! The design has such impact. Curator: Absolutely. These coins served as propaganda, circulating his image and authority throughout the Byzantine Empire. Consider the weight, 23.32 grams, and its journey across centuries. Editor: The lines are bold, particularly the "M". The designer clearly understood how to use simple forms to convey authority and wealth. Curator: Indeed, the "M" denotes its value. Coins like these financed public works, military campaigns, and imperial administration. Editor: It's fascinating how a single object can embody such political and economic power through pure design! Curator: A beautiful artifact linking us directly to a complex civilization. Editor: I’ll be thinking about its composition, a micro-monumentality, for days.