Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 590 - 591

This Coin of Maurice Tiberius, wherever it was made, is like a little window into another world, a glimpse of power and the everyday all rolled into one small disc. I find myself drawn to the patinated surface. It's not just brown, but a whole symphony of greens and browns—colors that whisper of time, earth, and transformation. The image of the emperor, such as it is, is like a drawing, the incised lines into the metal seem almost tentative, revealing a sensitivity to the material. And that lettering on the other side! It’s like a little puzzle, those angular shapes and curves, hinting at stories and systems we can only begin to imagine. This object reminds us that art isn't just about grand gestures or perfect forms. It's about connection, and the traces left behind. It’s like looking at a Cy Twombly sculpture or even a Joseph Beuys object—something that speaks of history, decay, and the enduring power of simple materials.