Coin of Herakleios c. 612 - 613

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this fascinating coin attributed to Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads, known as Coin of Herakleios. Editor: It feels weighty, you know? Like holding a little piece of history that's been passed through so many hands. Curator: The means of production are fascinating: consider the die-striking, the circulation of this metal, the networks it activated. Editor: I see a faint, regal profile... burdened, maybe. Like it's carrying the weight of an empire right there on its little copper face. Curator: This coin represents a key moment in the Umayyad dynasty's assertion of economic power, challenging Byzantine currency. Editor: It's a funny thing, isn't it, how something so small can tell such a big story? Curator: Absolutely. A material testament to cultural and economic shifts. Editor: Gives you a lot to think about, doesn't it?