Coin of Tiberius II c. 579 - 582

Curator: This is a bronze coin of Tiberius II, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs a mere 1.32 grams. Editor: It has an earthy, worn texture. The damage around the edges speaks to its long history and journey through time. Curator: Absolutely. The coin's materiality tells a story of its production and the labor involved in minting it, as well as its role in economic exchange during Tiberius's reign. Editor: And who controlled that exchange? Power structures of the Byzantine Empire are written on this coin. Who had access to it, and who did not? That says a lot. Curator: Indeed. A coin is never just a coin. It's a product of resources, labor, and societal values. Editor: It's also a reflection of the social and political landscape that produced it. Curator: Considering all the hands this passed through, it's remarkable it has survived. Editor: It’s a tiny, tangible link to a distant past, reminding us of the human stories intertwined with power, trade, and survival.