Coin of Justin II c. 572 - 573

Editor: This is a coin of Justin II, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small bronze piece, worn with age. What statements about power do you think it makes? Curator: Coins were potent tools of propaganda. The image of Justin II, perhaps with his consort, asserted imperial authority and divine mandate. Who was included, who was excluded, and how were they portrayed? These choices shaped perceptions of power, gender, and legitimacy. Editor: So, its value goes beyond just currency? Curator: Absolutely. Consider how the iconography on the coin would have been read by diverse audiences. It's a material object reflecting a complex web of social, political, and religious meanings. Editor: That’s a really insightful way to look at it. Curator: It reminds us that even the smallest artifact can speak volumes about the historical context.