Coin of Justinian I c. 552 - 565

Editor: This is a coin of Justinian I, from the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by the materiality – the wear and tear on the metal tells a story of its journey through history. What does this small object tell us about its world? Curator: Consider the minting process itself. The labor, the source of the metal, and the deliberate inscription of power through imagery. It's not just currency; it's a tool of propaganda and a marker of imperial reach. Editor: So, the coin's value extends beyond its face? Curator: Absolutely. It embodies the resources, labor, and ideology of an empire concentrated into a single, circulating object. It prompts us to question the relationship between art, labor, and power. Editor: That’s fascinating. Looking at it this way, the coin becomes a potent symbol of its time. Curator: Precisely, and studying its materiality opens pathways to understanding the social and economic structures of Justinian's reign.