Coin of Justin II c. 568 - 569

Curator: The weight of this small artifact, a coin belonging to Justin II, ruler of the Byzantine Empire, speaks volumes. Editor: It feels ancient, doesn’t it? The patina suggests a life lived, passed from hand to hand. I see two figures on one side, perhaps imperial figures? Curator: Precisely. The iconography often depicts the emperor and empress, symbolizing shared rule and divine sanction, continuing the visual language of power. Editor: The reverse shows what appears to be a large "M," flanked by other symbols. Is that a value mark? And how would its distribution have shaped the empire's economy? Curator: Yes, the "M" likely denotes the coin's value. The symbols and letters acted as an instrument of governance and a reflection of political narratives. Editor: It’s fascinating to see how something so small was intended to project such immense power. Curator: Indeed, and considering the symbolic weight it carried makes one ponder the layers of meaning that we project on objects even today.