Pentanummium of Justinian I, Constantinople 538 - 565

Editor: This is a Pentanummium of Justinian I from Constantinople. Though small, these fragments feel weighted with history. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: The Chi-Rho, a potent early Christian symbol referencing Christ, immediately draws the eye. Its presence speaks volumes about the era's visual language, doesn’t it? How does it resonate with you? Editor: It reminds me how symbols evolve, becoming shorthand for complex ideas. Curator: Precisely! The symbol encapsulates both temporal power and divine authority, reflecting the dual role Justinian occupied. The coin, humble yet impactful, links us to a distant past. Editor: It’s amazing how much cultural information is encoded in such a small object.