Coin of Herakleios c. 626 - 629

Curator: Before us, we have a gold coin, of Herakleios, though minted under Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads. Editor: There's an immediate sense of formality. Those facing portraits, the weight of the gold...it feels very deliberate, very official. Curator: Absolutely. It's a fascinating example of cultural negotiation. The Umayyads initially adopted Byzantine coinage, maintaining the imagery while subtly asserting their own power. Editor: So the cross becomes this… pillar. It's still there, but diminished somehow. The message has definitely shifted. Curator: Exactly. It speaks to the complex political landscape and the evolving relationship between the Byzantine Empire and the rising Islamic Caliphate. Editor: It's like holding a piece of history that’s still negotiating its own meaning. Curator: Indeed. It's a visual representation of a world in transition.