Coin of Justinian I c. 527 - 565

Editor: This is a bronze coin of Justinian I, but the date is unknown. It’s small, worn, but still feels significant. What's your take? Curator: It's a glimpse into power structures, isn’t it? How Justinian, as a leader, controlled not just land but also image, value, and narrative through currency. Consider how that portrait on one side reinforces patriarchal authority. Who did this exclude? Editor: So, it's not just a coin, but a statement? Curator: Precisely. It speaks volumes about who holds power and who is rendered invisible. What narratives are lost due to this singular perspective? Editor: Fascinating, I never considered the coin's social implications. Curator: Art objects are rarely neutral. They reflect and shape the societies that create them.