Coin of Herakleios c. 639 - 641

Editor: Here we have a gold coin attributed to Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads, titled "Coin of Herakleios". What strikes me is how this object, so small, circulated within complex trade networks and carried immense political weight. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The choice of gold itself is key. Its value isn't inherent but is tied to systems of extraction, labor, and control. Consider the mine workers, the trade routes secured by military force... The coin represents a whole network of exploitation and exchange. Editor: So, looking at this coin isn't just about the imagery; it's about understanding the material conditions that made it possible? Curator: Precisely. It forces us to confront the relationship between material wealth and power. Reflecting on this really makes you consider the choices and power dynamics involved. Editor: I never thought about it that way, the coin truly is a result of a complex system.