Coin of Justinian I c. 544 - 545

Curator: Looking at this "Coin of Justinian I," I'm struck by the weight of history, quite literally, at 19.59 grams! The piece seems to ask, "What stories do I carry?" Editor: It feels like a talisman, worn smooth by countless exchanges, whispering tales of Byzantine power and the weight of an empire's ambitions. Curator: Absolutely, it served a crucial function in facilitating commerce, law, and order within his reign. That M on the coin is probably a mark of value or denomination. Editor: And Justinian's portrait on the other side is a master class in controlled messaging. Look how it merges Roman tradition with an emerging Byzantine aesthetic! Every line must have been so purposefully designed! Curator: I agree. It is quite fascinating how such a small piece can contain so much of the past. Editor: Right? Holding it makes me ponder the long echo of imperial decisions on everyday life, the sort of top-down power that trickles all the way down to our pockets.