Coin of Justin II c. 577 - 578

Editor: This is a coin of Justin II from the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, dense, and depicts two figures on one side. How do you interpret this work, especially considering its function as currency? Curator: A coin like this was less about simple economics and more about projecting power. Justin II strategically used images on currency to communicate his authority and legitimacy. The figures depicted likely represent Justin II and his wife Sophia, positioning them as divinely sanctioned rulers. Editor: So, it’s a form of propaganda? Curator: Absolutely! It's a visual claim to power, subtly reinforcing the social hierarchy. Who is included, and how they are presented, tells us about the politics of representation at the time, doesn't it? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It’s interesting to consider currency as a form of political statement. Curator: Exactly, and the coin literally passed from hand to hand, spreading the message far and wide.