Coin of Justin II c. 565 - 578

Curator: This is a coin minted during the reign of Justin II, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you about it? Editor: Its rough texture and patina speak of a life lived, handled, traded perhaps. The material itself tells a story of economics and empires. Curator: Indeed. Notice the stylized depiction of the emperor and perhaps a religious icon—geometric forms, hierarchical arrangement. A clear visual language of power. Editor: But consider the labor involved in its creation—the mining, the smelting, the striking of the die. Each coin represents countless hours of unseen toil. Curator: A valid point. However, the artistry cannot be dismissed. The composition, though simple, conveys a potent message of imperial authority. Editor: Still, power is never divorced from the means of its production. This coin is not just a symbol, but a testament to the systems that sustained an empire. Curator: Ultimately, both perspectives illuminate the complexity of this small object—a nexus of aesthetics and historical forces. Editor: Precisely. It's a reminder that even the smallest artifact holds layers of meaning waiting to be unearthed.