Coin of Maurice Tiberius c. 594 - 595

This copper coin was made by Maurice Tiberius, though we're not sure exactly when. Imagine the careful carving needed to create such detail on something so small! The coin is lovely and warm, with a sort of reddish-brown surface. On one side is a head in profile, probably Maurice himself. The other side, if I'm reading it right, has a big M, maybe for money or Maurice? All those little lines and shapes – they must have used tiny tools to make them. I wonder what Tiberius was thinking as he designed it? Did he see himself as an artist, or just a ruler making money? It reminds me of other artists who work small, like Joseph Cornell with his little boxes or Tara Donovan, who makes art from everyday objects, pushing the idea of what art can be. This coin is a reminder that artists have always been around, making their mark on the world, one tiny coin at a time.