Coin of Justin II c. 565 - 578

Editor: This is a coin of Justin II, a small, unassuming object from Harvard Art Museums. It feels incredibly textured and dense, even from the image. What strikes you about its formal qualities? Curator: The very degradation of the coin is telling. Note the pitted surface, the uneven edges, and the clear evidence of wear. These contribute to a complex interplay of light and shadow, emphasizing the materiality of the metal itself. Editor: So, the coin's imperfections are integral to its artistic value? Curator: Precisely. The coin’s design, though faded, reveals a deliberate arrangement of forms. Consider how the artist chose to utilize radial symmetry. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. Thanks for sharing your insights! Curator: My pleasure! It's in these details we can find deeper meaning.