Drachm of Vonones II of Parthia, Ecbatana c. 51 CE

Curator: This is a Drachm of Vonones II of Parthia, a small silver coin currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels weighty somehow, despite its size. There's a stillness to the figure on the coin, an almost mournful expression. Curator: The weight you perceive likely stems from its historical significance. This coin provides tangible evidence of Vonones II's reign and the socio-economic structures in place. Look closely at the inscription – it details systems of value and exchange. Editor: And the portrait itself – the elaborate headdress, the carefully groomed beard. These aren't just aesthetic choices; they are statements of power and identity in a specific historical and cultural context. How does this image reinforce or challenge existing notions of Parthian leadership? Curator: Exactly! The minting of these coins was itself an act of production, consuming resources and labor. Analyzing the distribution and wear patterns on such coins helps us understand trade routes and economic activity. Editor: It’s a tiny object, but looking at the coin through the lens of its creation and circulation illuminates broader narratives about power, representation, and cultural exchange. Curator: Precisely. It's a physical manifestation of a moment in Parthian history, speaking volumes about its material world. Editor: And in the end, the image it projects is of a very human presence, trying to communicate something about his identity and time.