Coin of Justinian I c. 545 - 546

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justinian I, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It feels like a tangible link to a distant past. What stories does this object tell? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a carefully constructed piece of propaganda. The portrait of Justinian I, likely idealized, projects power and authority. But consider the context of its circulation: who controlled its distribution, and what messages were subtly, or not so subtly, conveyed to the populace? Editor: So, it's less about the literal value and more about the symbolic value? Curator: Precisely. Think about how representations of rulers, especially in ancient coinage, legitimize power structures and shape collective identity. What impact would these symbols have on diverse populations across Justinian's empire? Editor: I never thought of a coin carrying so much weight! Curator: These objects invite us to examine how power operates through seemingly mundane artifacts and how these everyday items contribute to broader narratives of identity, governance, and control.