Coin of Prusias II of Bithynia c. 182

Curator: This is a coin of Prusias II of Bithynia, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums collection. The coin is quite small, only 3.61 grams. Editor: Initially, I see a weathered surface, but beyond that, a sense of power. A profile, almost regal, gazes from one side. Curator: One side presents a portrait, possibly of the king himself, while the other depicts what appears to be a standing figure, likely a deity, a way to legitimize authority. Editor: Yes, I see the figure with a staff, perhaps Hermes or Apollo. It's a visual language proclaiming rule, connecting lineage to divine right and power. Curator: Indeed. It’s a tangible example of how ancient rulers used imagery to control narratives about their power and legacy. A coin with sociopolitical implications. Editor: Exactly. This coin reflects how symbols persist as tools, shaping narratives and reflecting cultural memory, regardless of scale or age. Curator: A tiny object, yet it reveals so much about power, symbolism, and the lasting impact of visual communication. Editor: Precisely, making us consider the narratives we circulate, what we immortalize today through our own symbols.