Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 597 - 598

This bronze coin was made in the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Maurice Tiberius, who ruled from 582 to 602 AD. A coin like this was far more than a simple medium of exchange; it was a potent symbol of imperial power and a tool for communicating the emperor's image and authority to the masses. The coin's imagery is laden with meaning. The portrait of Maurice Tiberius on one side, adorned with imperial regalia, asserts his legitimacy and divine right to rule. The reverse side features the Greek letter "M," representing the number 40, likely referring to a monetary unit. The use of Greek, rather than Latin, reflects the cultural shift within the Byzantine Empire. Studying coins like this allows us to delve into the economic, political, and cultural history of the Byzantine Empire. Numismatic collections, along with textual sources, provide valuable insights into the social conditions that shaped artistic production and the ways in which rulers sought to legitimize their power.