Coin of Herakleios c. 612 - 613

Editor: This is a bronze coin, Coin of Herakleios, made by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads. The imagery looks Byzantine, but what strikes me is how worn it is, a testament to its use. What do you see in it? Curator: The wear is significant, yes. But consider what survives: a deliberate layering of cultural symbols. We see the echo of Byzantine power in the figure depicted, yet it is overlaid with Arabic script. Editor: So, it’s about the transition of power through imagery? Curator: Precisely! The coin becomes a site of cultural memory and transformation. The image carries both the weight of the past and the seed of a new identity. Editor: That's fascinating, a silent dialogue etched in metal. I hadn't considered how actively symbols can participate in historical shifts.