Coin of Justinian I c. 533 - 537

Editor: Here we have a coin minted during the reign of Justinian I. It appears to be metal, likely copper, and shows significant wear and patina. What do you see when you look at this coin? Curator: This coin acts as a potent symbol of imperial authority and economic power, doesn't it? The effigy of Justinian himself embodies the continuity of Roman rule, even as the empire transformed. Editor: It's interesting how an object so small can carry so much meaning. How does the imagery contribute to that sense of authority? Curator: The use of a ruler’s portrait, a common practice, served to imprint the image of the emperor onto the collective psyche. What message do you think they were trying to communicate? Editor: That’s a good question. Power, stability, and divine right, maybe? I never thought a simple coin could reveal so much about Byzantine culture. Curator: Indeed. Symbols have the power to transcend time, connecting us to the past in tangible ways.