Coin of Justin II c. 574 - 575

Curator: Here we have a coin issued under Justin II, now held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks worn, doesn't it? I immediately get a sense of history just from its patina and the way the design has softened over time. Curator: Indeed. It represents not just currency but also imperial power. Coins were carefully controlled and distributed, shaping the economic landscape. Editor: The imagery, even faded, seems deliberate. A seated figure? And on the reverse, that prominent "M"... it’s meant to project authority, a lasting symbol. Curator: Precisely. These symbols reinforced the Emperor's legitimacy, circulating within the Byzantine social fabric. Editor: Knowing it was handled by so many...it holds a certain weight, doesn’t it? The coin’s story goes far beyond its monetary value. Curator: Absolutely. It offers a glimpse into the economy and the symbolic language of Byzantine authority.