Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 539

Curator: This is a coin of Justinian I, the Byzantine emperor who reigned from 527 to 565 AD. It weighs just over 21 grams. Editor: It's remarkably eroded, isn’t it? The patinated surface and worn edges give it an almost melancholic feel. Curator: Indeed, but the wear is testament to its circulation through history. Coinage during Justinian’s reign was crucial to the empire’s economy and military campaigns. Editor: The front features a bust of Justinian, though time has blurred the details. On the reverse, we see a large "M," indicating its denomination as a 40 nummi piece. Curator: The coin embodies Justinian’s efforts to centralize power and standardize currency. These coins facilitated trade and tax collection, bolstering the imperial treasury. Editor: The bas-relief is simple, yet there's a certain elegance in the lettering and the way the designs fill the circular space. Curator: It's a tangible connection to a pivotal era. Seeing the coin now, we are reminded that even the smallest object can signify considerable power. Editor: Agreed. The details are amazing; it evokes a visceral sense of its past.