Coin of Justinian I c. 544 - 545

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justinian I, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s fascinating to consider the iconography packed onto such a small object! What do you make of the imagery here? Curator: The symbols are key. The image of Justinian with his crown and the cross invoke divine authority. It is a visual representation of power, linking the emperor to both earthly rule and spiritual legitimacy. Editor: So, these symbols are reinforcing Justinian's role as emperor? Curator: Precisely. Consider how the image and inscription together act as a form of propaganda, embedding the concept of Justinian's divinely sanctioned rule into the cultural memory of the Byzantine world. Editor: I see. It's amazing how much a single coin can tell us about a ruler's ambitions. Curator: Indeed. A coin is not just currency; it’s a concentrated message, intended to shape perceptions and perpetuate power.