Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 583 - 584

This coin, now at Harvard, was made of bronze during the reign of Maurice Tiberius. It's a humble object, and that’s the point. The material itself, bronze, speaks volumes. Far from the gold and silver often associated with royalty, this coin is made of a more common metal, intended for everyday transactions. It was likely cast in multiples, a production process that mirrors the empire's need for standardized currency. The coin’s design, stamped into the bronze, displays the emperor's portrait and symbols of his rule, all carefully planned and executed. Consider the labor involved: from mining the ore to refining the metal, designing the stamps to minting the coins. It’s a whole economic system captured in one small, unassuming object. The coin, in its very ordinariness, is a powerful reminder of the link between material, making, and social context.