Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 317

Curator: This is a coin attributed to Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection, weighing 9.58 grams. Editor: It feels immediately weighty, not just physically but historically. The patina suggests centuries of circulation and exchange, both economic and cultural. Curator: Precisely. Note the composition: the profile of a ruler on one side, balanced by a symbolic animal on the other. The incuse details and circular format are visually compelling. Editor: But whose power did this coin serve? Currency is never neutral. Minting these coins served to legitimize Agathokles's often brutal rule, extending his reach into everyday lives. Curator: Agreed, and yet, within the minimalist design, the artist has created a fascinating system of symbolic representation. It’s a delicate balance of power and artistry. Editor: It's a potent reminder that even the smallest objects carry within them larger narratives of power, identity, and the social structures of their time. Curator: Indeed, examining the formal qualities of the coin gives insights, though incomplete without broader historical contextualization.