Coin of Herakleios c. 613 - 614

Curator: This is a coin of Herakleios, crafted under Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad dynasty. It’s currently held in the Harvard Art Museums, and it speaks volumes about cultural exchange. Editor: I see a face on one side, looking almost like an ancient mask, and the other side is covered in mysterious symbols. It feels like holding a secret. Curator: The imagery is particularly fascinating. On one side, a stylized portrait evokes Byzantine imperial iconography, while the other features Arabic script, revealing the blend of cultures present at the time. Editor: It’s like two worlds colliding on this tiny disc. I wonder, what stories could it tell if it could speak? What hands has it passed through, what has it bought? Curator: Indeed. This coin is more than just currency; it’s a tangible link to a complex period of transition and transformation. A potent symbol of power, faith, and cultural identity. Editor: What an intriguing little portal into the past! It definitely sparks the imagination and reminds us how art and artifacts connect us through time.