Pentanummium of Justin I, Constantinople 518 - 527

Editor: Here we have a Pentanummium of Justin I from Constantinople. Given its age, it's in surprisingly good condition. I am struck by how something so small could represent such power. How do you interpret the symbolism within this coin? Curator: Well, consider the context. Justin I's reign, though brief, marked a crucial period of consolidating power after a time of instability. The imagery, likely commissioned by the emperor himself, serves as propaganda. What does the depiction of Justin himself on one side and the Chi-Rho symbol on the other tell us about the intended message? Editor: That he was a Christian ruler? Curator: Precisely. And what did that mean during a time of great social and political change? How might this symbol have reinforced or challenged existing power structures? Considering that this was a lower denomination coin, who was this message primarily for? Editor: So, it’s not just a coin, but a statement? That's fascinating! I didn’t realize how much history could be packed into something so small. Curator: Exactly! Every object is a text, waiting to be read within its historical and cultural context.