Dirham of Khusrau II, Hamadhan c. 590 - 628

Curator: Look at this fascinating Dirham of Khusrau II from Hamadhan, a silver coin held in the Harvard Art Museums, weighing a mere 3.83 grams. Editor: There is an immediate gravity to the piece, a weighty presence despite its modest scale. The symmetry and circular composition imply wholeness, a kind of self-contained universe. Curator: Precisely. The iconography on both sides—the regal portrait on one, the fire altar flanked by figures on the other—speaks volumes about Sasanian power and religious beliefs. Khusrau II used visual language to reinforce his divine right to rule. Editor: The careful arrangement of elements—the ruler's crown, the attendants, the flames rising in perfect verticality—conveys a sense of immutable order. It's not just about representation; it's about projecting stability and authority. Curator: The material itself, silver, and the act of minting these in large numbers, are essential. They circulated, spreading the emperor’s image and symbolic power throughout the realm and beyond. Editor: Indeed, and the slightly worn texture tells a story of handling, of transactions, of its journey through time. It is a history compressed into a small, potent object. Curator: A tangible piece of the past, rendered through carefully considered form. Editor: A powerful testament to how symbols shape perception and power endures.