Siglos of the Achaemenid kings c. 500

Curator: What strikes me first about this Siglos of the Achaemenid kings is how... intimate it feels. Almost like a little secret, isn’t it? Editor: Indeed, it's easy to forget that this small coin—currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums—was a vital tool in shaping the socio-economic dynamics of the Achaemenid Empire. Curator: It’s wild to think about something so tiny having that kind of power. I see this figure, possibly a king, and I wonder about the stories it carries. Editor: It’s more than just a story, it is a historical testament. The depiction of the king on the coin served as propaganda, reinforcing their power and legitimacy. Curator: Do you think they ever imagined we'd be picking over these little pieces centuries later? It gives me chills! Editor: It should. Currency is deeply tied to power structures and control. As an activist, I see it as more than just an artifact. Curator: Maybe we should all carry little tokens like this, reminders that even the smallest things can shape the world. Editor: Absolutely. It is a small but potent symbol of the intersections of power, identity, and economics.