Coin of Justinian I c. 545 - 546

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justinian I from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a weathered bronze, and I'm struck by how something so small could represent such immense power. What significance do you see in the imagery presented? Curator: Consider the portrait, the inscription – they speak of authority, but also of a desired legacy. How does the Chi-Rho, the early Christian symbol on the reverse, inform our understanding of Justinian’s reign? Editor: It suggests the intertwining of religious and political power, right? Curator: Precisely. The image becomes a cultural touchstone, its value shaped by layers of meaning. What endures when empires fade, but symbols remain? Editor: That's a powerful thought. I’ll definitely look at coins differently now!