Coin of Justinian I c. 546 - 547

Curator: This is a coin of Justinian I, a Byzantine Emperor, now held at the Harvard Art Museums. Just holding it, can you feel the echoes of power and faith? Editor: It feels like looking at an old memory, all blurry around the edges. The verdigris gives it such a poignant sense of time passing. Curator: The coin reveals much about Justinian’s reign and self-image; the portrait on one side depicts him as both a military leader and a devout Christian. Editor: It's like holding history in your palm, thinking of all the hands it's passed through, and all the transactions it facilitated. Curator: Absolutely. It served as a tool of imperial propaganda, circulating his image and authority throughout the empire. Consider the socioeconomic conditions shaping its circulation. Editor: But even beyond the political, there's a human element too. The wear and tear tell a silent story of the individuals, and the culture they inhabited. Curator: Indeed. It's a tangible link to a complex society and its power structures, reminding us that even the smallest objects can carry significant weight. Editor: Makes you wonder what future generations will make of our own pocket change, doesn’t it?