Coin of Justinian I c. 554 - 555

Curator: This small artifact, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, is a coin of Justinian I. Editor: It's remarkable, isn't it? The patina tells a story of centuries. It feels incredibly weighty for its size. Curator: Indeed. Consider the power dynamics embedded within this tiny object. Justinian, in commissioning these coins, was actively shaping his own image and projecting imperial authority across vast territories. Editor: And the very act of minting – the physical labor, the extraction of metals – it's all tied to empire building. The coin becomes a tool of control through trade and taxation. Curator: Precisely! The portrait of Justinian, though stylized, promotes a singular, masculine ideal of leadership, suppressing diverse identities within his realm. Editor: I'm left pondering how this coin, passed from hand to hand, might reflect the larger economic systems that shaped the lives of ordinary people. Its material life is inextricably linked to its social life. Curator: Looking at this small coin, we can glimpse the complex narratives of power and identity. Editor: Yes, the coin serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate connections between materials, making, and the broader social structures.