Coin of Justin II c. 565 - 578

Curator: Here we have a "Coin of Justin II," attributed to Justin II himself, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It's remarkable how such a small object—weighing less than 2 grams—can hold so much history. Editor: It feels weighty, though, doesn’t it? Like holding a tiny, tarnished mirror to a vanished empire. All those faded symbols… what did they even mean? Curator: The symbols likely reflect Justin’s authority and legitimacy. Coins were powerful tools of propaganda, circulating not just currency but also imperial imagery. Editor: Propaganda in your pocket! It makes you wonder about the lived experiences of the people who actually used this coin, the power dynamics embedded in even a transaction. Curator: Precisely. The coin speaks volumes about Byzantine imperial power and its impact on everyday life, subtly shaping perceptions of leadership and governance. Editor: It’s funny—something so seemingly insignificant now carried so much symbolic weight back then. Makes me think about what objects today will hold that kind of power for future generations. Curator: A sobering thought, isn’t it? That everyday objects can become artifacts imbued with meanings we can scarcely imagine today. Editor: Yeah, totally changes how I see my loose change.