Light weight solidus (23 siliquae) of Maurice Tiberius, Constantinople c. 583 - 601

This gold coin, a light weight solidus, was minted in Constantinople under the reign of Maurice Tiberius. Coins such as this one were not merely currency. They were powerful tools of propaganda and imperial messaging. On one side, we see an idealized portrait of Maurice Tiberius, his features rendered in a way that emphasizes his authority and divine right to rule. On the other side are images of Victory and the inscription "VICTORIA AVGG", reinforcing the empire’s military strength. But let's consider this image beyond its intended purpose. What does it mean to have your likeness circulated so widely? How does it shape your own identity, and how does it influence the perception of power? The use of gold, a precious and highly valued material, further emphasizes the emperor's status and the wealth of the Byzantine Empire. But ultimately the value of such a coin lies in the faith placed in it by those who use it. As such it can be seen as an early piece of conceptual art.