Coin of Justinian I c. 555 - 556

Curator: Before us, we have a coin of Justinian I, held at the Harvard Art Museums. The item weighs 17.01 grams. Editor: The surface is worn, but even so, it's a striking artifact. There is something potent about its modest scale. Curator: It embodies the emperor's power and influence, speaking volumes about gender, identity, and the politics of the Byzantine era. Imagine the social and economic structures it represents. Editor: And consider the labor involved in its production. The mining of the metal, the skill required for striking the coin, the whole network of artisans. Curator: It is fascinating to think about how such a small object could carry so much symbolic weight and perpetuate such a rigid power structure. Editor: Indeed, and the material itself—the copper, likely sourced from specific mines—held inherent value beyond its symbolic use. Curator: A powerful reminder of the narratives of empire, accessible to us even now. Editor: I'm struck by how this small, dense object connects us directly to the social systems of its time.