Coin of of Syracuse under Pyrrhos c. 278

Curator: This is a bronze coin from Syracuse, struck under Pyrrhos of Epirus, now held in the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs just under 9 grams. Editor: It feels burdened somehow, weighed down by history, almost illegible. Curator: Coins are fascinating, aren’t they? Each one carries symbols reflecting the cultural moment. Here we see the portrait of Pyrrhos himself, embodying power and authority. Editor: And on the reverse, Nike, the winged goddess of Victory, forever frozen in anticipation of triumph. But who ultimately benefits from these victories? Curator: The circulation of these coins connected people through commerce, and, of course, ideology. Editor: True. Holding such a small object, we're reminded how power is always mediated, always represented through images meant to legitimize dominance. Curator: Thinking about the durability of the coin itself, it is an interesting artifact that has persisted despite its humble nature. Editor: Indeed, it prompts us to reflect on how ancient iconography continues to echo in contemporary power structures.