Coin of Tiberius II c. 579 - 582

Editor: Here we have a bronze coin of Tiberius II, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s interesting how a small object like this could have such a powerful message. What can you tell me about its historical significance? Curator: Coins like these weren't just currency; they were potent symbols of imperial power and religious authority. The image of Tiberius holding a cross broadcasts an alignment of the Byzantine state with Christianity. Editor: So, it's like a form of propaganda? Curator: Precisely. Consider its wide circulation: this coin influenced perceptions of imperial legitimacy and divine favor across the Byzantine world. A small coin, a large statement! Editor: It’s amazing to think how art, even in this form, played such a vital political role. Curator: Indeed, this little coin opens a window onto the broader history of the Byzantine Empire.