Coin of Justin II c. 568 - 569

Curator: This coin of Justin II, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums, feels like a whisper from the past. It’s aged, humble, yet carries a weight of history. Editor: Indeed. And a weight of power, surely. Look at how Justin II, as the artist, has literally stamped his authority onto the very fabric of commerce. It's a fascinating statement. Curator: Fascinating, but the figure rendered on this coin… his expression, is almost… cartoonish. A world away from the usual grand portraits of rulers. Editor: Perhaps, but consider the Byzantine context. The coin wasn’t merely currency; it was propaganda. Each one carried an implicit message about the emperor’s legitimacy. Curator: So, it's about more than just cold, hard cash. Editor: Precisely! Coins like this were active agents in shaping perceptions of imperial power across the Byzantine world. They offer a material, tangible link to a complex history. Curator: Material stories, pressed into metal. I love it!