Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 597 - 598

This is a bronze coin of Maurice Tiberius, likely produced in Constantinople during his reign from 582 to 602 AD. The coin provides a glimpse into the intersection of power, identity, and representation in the late Roman Empire. On one side, we see an image of Maurice Tiberius, his depiction intended to project authority and legitimacy. It’s a highly gendered image of power, where masculinity is equated with leadership and control. The other side bears symbols and inscriptions that reinforce his rule, and invoke divine sanction. But what does it mean to hold the weight of an empire in your hand? This coin is more than just currency, it's a symbol of the emperor's reach into the daily lives of his subjects. The coin reminds us of the complex ways in which power is negotiated and maintained, both in the past and the present.