Coin of Justinian II c. 687 - 692

Editor: This is a gold coin of Justinian II, from the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, obviously, but the details are really striking. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: This coin offers a potent glimpse into the intersection of power, religion, and identity in the Byzantine Empire. What does Justinian's depiction convey to you? Editor: I guess... authority? He looks pretty serious. Curator: Exactly. Now consider that Justinian II faced immense challenges to his rule and was eventually overthrown. This coin, with its confident imagery, serves as propaganda, masking the underlying instability and anxiety of his reign. It's a powerful statement of legitimacy through art. The cross potent reinforces the divine right of the Emperor, an important issue at the time. Editor: That’s fascinating, how art and power dynamics were so intertwined. Curator: Indeed. It underscores how images shaped the very narratives of power. A coin like this shows us how art can be a tool for constructing identity and controlling narratives.