Half Follis of Justin II, Thessalonica 577 - 578

Editor: So, here we have the Half Follis of Justin II from Thessalonica. It’s, well, a coin! I’m struck by how worn it looks, like it’s carrying so many untold stories. What do you make of it? Curator: It whispers of empires, doesn't it? Imagine the hands it passed through! Justin II, a ruler in a turbulent time, literally stamped his authority onto this metal. The crudeness is beautiful; it’s real. What story does it spark in you? Editor: I suppose I see it as a reminder of the ephemerality of power. Curator: Absolutely! And maybe a little bit of the enduring nature of art, even in something as utilitarian as a coin. Editor: I guess that’s true! I hadn’t thought about it that way, but that’s really cool.