Coin of Justinian I c. 543 - 565

Curator: This is a coin of Justinian I, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It looks like a tarnished green teardrop, really worn, but there's a trace of something stamped on it. I wonder about the original labor of striking so many of these. Curator: As a symbol of imperial power, these coins weren't just currency; they were propaganda. Think about the scope of Justinian's ambition to rebuild the Roman Empire, projected onto each small coin. Editor: Right, but the material itself, likely bronze, speaks to accessibility. Currency for the masses, not the elite. I'm interested in who handled this, the daily transactions, the wear and tear from countless hands. Curator: Exactly, they circulated widely, reinforcing Justinian's image and authority throughout the Byzantine world. Each coin represents the centralized power exerted over a vast territory. Editor: It's amazing how a tiny piece of metal can tell such a complex story of making, power, and exchange. Curator: Indeed, it's a tangible link to a fascinating period of history.