Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 539

Editor: This is a coin of Justinian I, weighing about 21.47 grams. It's fascinating how a small object like this reflects power. What can you tell us about its means of production and impact? Curator: The coin's materiality speaks volumes. Bronze, not gold, indicates a specific level of economic transaction and the state's control over resource distribution. We should ask: who mined the metal, who struck the coin, and how did its value affect daily life? Editor: So, it’s less about the artistic merit and more about the social and economic systems at play? Curator: Precisely! It challenges the traditional view of art by highlighting the labor, materiality, and consumption involved in creating even a seemingly simple object. What can this tell us about the Roman Empire's system of labor and social stratification? Editor: That's a really insightful way to look at it. I've never thought about art in terms of labor and material processes. Curator: Considering the coin's circulation helps us rethink traditional boundaries between art, craft, and everyday life.