Coin of Herakleios c. 616s

Editor: Here we have a gold coin, "Coin of Herakleios" by Abd-al-Malik, from the Umayyad dynasty. One side shows figures, the other a cross. What strikes me is the juxtaposition of Christian and Islamic imagery. How do you interpret this? Curator: It's crucial to understand the socio-political context. This coin represents a moment of cultural negotiation. The Umayyads, initially emulating Byzantine coinage, gradually asserted their own identity. The cross, while seemingly Christian, might also symbolize power structures being reinterpreted. What does that tension say about identity? Editor: It sounds like it’s less about religious endorsement, and more about power. Curator: Exactly. It’s a complex symbol of cultural transition and the negotiation of power between empires. We see how visual language can shift meanings across cultures.