Coin of Syracuse under Dionysios I beginning of 4th c. BCE

Curator: Here we have a coin of Syracuse issued under Dionysios I, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It looks so worn, almost like a fossil. The material speaks to a history of circulation and utility. Curator: Exactly. These coins weren't just currency; they were tools of propaganda. Dionysios used them to project power, especially during his military campaigns. Think about the implications of that kind of messaging. Editor: How the very act of exchange reinforces power structures. Was the coin’s metallic composition a deliberate choice, reflecting available resources or projecting wealth? Curator: The coin's materiality would have certainly contributed to the message. It's a tangible piece of history, reflecting the political and social landscape of its time. Editor: Examining the labor involved in its production, from mining the metals to the craftsmanship… it's a powerful object. Curator: Absolutely, and remembering the historical context helps us to avoid ahistorical interpretations of power. Editor: Reflecting on its journey through time, it makes you consider its social life, from its creation to its resting place in a museum.