Coin of Herakleios c. 7th century

Editor: This is a coin of Herakleios by Abd-al-Malik from the Umayyad dynasty. It's small, metallic, and depicts figures. The condition suggests it's quite old. What stories do you think it tells? Curator: Well, it speaks volumes about power, adaptation, and cultural negotiation. Coins are not merely currency; they are potent symbols. The Umayyads, initially imitating Byzantine coinage, gradually asserted their own identity. This coin is part of a transition, isn't it? Editor: Yes, I see that. It’s interesting how they started by mimicking existing forms before creating their own visual language. What does that imitation signify, though? Curator: It signifies a strategic approach, a gradual assertion of dominance by appropriating and then subverting the visual vocabulary of the conquered. Think of it as a form of early propaganda and cultural assertion. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the political implications so deeply. Curator: Examining the intersection of power, representation, and cultural identity truly enriches our understanding of this object, don’t you think?