Coin of Justin II c. 572 - 573

Curator: Here we have a Byzantine bronze coin. It's attributed to Justin II, who ruled from 565 to 578 AD. Editor: It’s remarkably weighty for its size. The patinas create an intriguing surface texture. Curator: The weight itself speaks to its purpose. Coinage was essential for administering the Byzantine empire, funding its army, and legitimizing imperial authority. Editor: Formally, the arrangement of lettering and symbols around the central 'M' creates a powerful sense of order, even with the coin’s rough edges. Curator: Absolutely. It's not just currency. It's a symbolic object connecting the emperor to the everyday lives of his subjects through trade, taxation, and civic engagement. Editor: I agree! It's fascinating to see how such a small object can contain so much history. Curator: Indeed, a tangible piece of the Byzantine world.