Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 586 - 587

This bronze coin, weighing nearly 13 grams, was made during the reign of Maurice Tiberius. He was Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 582 to 602 AD. Coins like this one were vital tools for projecting imperial power. The emperor's portrait on one side visually reinforced his authority. It was a constant reminder of who was in charge. The other side usually featured symbols of the state or religious motifs. For example, the large 'M' on this coin represents the denomination of the coin itself. Byzantine coins circulated widely throughout the Mediterranean world and beyond. As such, they served as a propaganda instrument, an economic instrument, and an art form all in one. Understanding the iconography and production of Byzantine coinage requires consulting historical texts, archaeological reports, and numismatic studies. It's by studying such objects that we can begin to understand the complex interplay of art, power, and society in the Byzantine world.