Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 598 - 599

Here's a coin of Maurice Tiberius, now at Harvard. Its circular form is immediately striking, divided into two distinct faces. The patinated bronze gives it a tactile, almost primal quality. One side features the bust of Maurice Tiberius, his figure rigidly symmetrical. The lines are clear and bold, conveying authority. Turn it over, and you will see a large 'M' flanked by other symbols and letters. The 'M' isn't just a letter; it’s a signifier of value and power, a visual representation of the economic structure of the time. The cross above underscores the intertwining of political and religious power. Through these forms, the coin isn’t merely a currency but a potent symbol. It signifies the emperor’s dominion, and the inseparable link between the state, the divine, and the economic life of its people. This coin invites us to consider the structures of authority and belief that underpinned Byzantine society.