Coin of Justinian I c. 544 - 545

Curator: Let’s examine this bronze coin of Justinian I, a solid material reminder of the Byzantine Empire, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s surprisingly small yet dense. The wear speaks volumes about its journey through time and the hands it passed through. Curator: Coins like this were not mere currency; they were tools of imperial propaganda. Note the emperor's image—a potent symbol of authority circulating throughout the realm. Editor: And look at the reverse side, the large "M" indicating its value. The production of these coins involved significant labor and reveals a complex economic system underpinned by bronze extraction and craftsmanship. Curator: Precisely. The coin's design reinforces Justinian’s image as a strong, divinely ordained ruler, crucial for maintaining power in a vast and diverse empire. Editor: I find myself wondering about the individual artisan who meticulously carved the dies for these coins, their labor contributing to this projection of imperial might. Curator: A small artifact, yet it opens a window into the political and material realities of Byzantium. Editor: Indeed, a fascinating intersection of power, faith, and material culture encapsulated in a small piece of metal.