Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 539

Editor: This is a bronze coin of Justinian I. It must have been circulated widely. What historical weight do you see here? Curator: This coin embodies power, both political and religious. Justinian’s image, likely idealized, projects authority. The cross and inscription signify the Byzantine empire's Christian identity. What stories do you think this coin carries? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it as a story-telling device. But I guess its value lies in its historical messaging. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! Coins like these are artifacts of cultural exchange, bearing witness to the empire's self-representation and its interactions with the world.