Coin of Il-Ghazi II c. 12th century

Curator: There’s a weight to this small object, isn’t there? It feels laden with history. Editor: Indeed. What we have here is a coin of Il-Ghazi II, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, and weighing in at just over 13 grams. The coin itself is undated, but it offers a unique glimpse into the leader’s ambitions. Curator: The dual portraiture is what strikes me. It’s almost as if he's trying to project an image of shared power, or perhaps seeking legitimacy through association. Editor: Or perhaps it was a deliberate echo of Roman imagery. Coinage, then as now, was about crafting a message for public consumption. The weight of that message is quite striking when you consider the size and material of this object. Curator: Yes, even in its tarnished state, it whispers of power, influence, and the careful construction of identity. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a potent reminder that even the smallest artifacts can carry immense historical and symbolic weight.