Coin of Justin II c. 573 - 574

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justin II from the Harvard Art Museums. It's amazing to hold something like this, imagining all the hands it might have passed through. What can you tell me about its place in history? Curator: Coins, like this one, were not only currency but powerful tools of propaganda. Consider the imagery—what figures are represented, and how might that have conveyed a message about Justin II's reign and legitimacy? Editor: I see figures that look like rulers and religious symbols. So the coin's imagery promoted Justin II’s authority? Curator: Precisely. By circulating these images, Justin II visually asserted his power, linking it to both earthly rule and divine authority. Understanding this helps us see beyond the coin's monetary value. Editor: That makes me think about how images shape our understanding of power even today. Curator: Indeed. This coin serves as a reminder of how art, even in its most functional forms, can be deeply embedded in political and social narratives.