Coin of Demetrios II of Syria, Tyre c. 2th century

Curator: This is a coin of Demetrios II of Syria, likely minted in Tyre. The metal has aged, but you can still see the images on both sides. Editor: It feels like holding a tiny, worn memory. The roughness around the edges speaks volumes. Curator: Precisely! The formal elements—the king's profile on one side and what appears to be a palm tree on the other—are symbols of power and prosperity. Editor: The palm tree, with its radiating fronds, almost seems to whisper stories of ancient trade routes and sun-drenched marketplaces. Makes me wonder what hands it passed through. Curator: Coins like these provide a tangible connection to history. Demetrios II's reign was filled with conflict; this coin represents his attempt to establish stability. Editor: And now, sitting here in the Harvard Art Museums, it's survived empires. Pretty humbling, really. Curator: Indeed. Each small mark adds a new layer to its story. Editor: So much history packed into something so small. Food for thought.