Siglos of the Achaemenid kings c. 450

Curator: This is a Siglos of the Achaemenid kings, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks quite worn, almost ghostlike. The texture is fascinating. Curator: Indeed. The Siglos's formal design features a royal archer, a potent symbol. The composition, though simple, speaks volumes. Editor: It's fascinating to consider the symbol of royal authority rendered on such a small, commonplace object. What did it mean for people of the time? Curator: These coins facilitated trade, projecting imperial power throughout the Achaemenid Empire, a testament to the king's control. Editor: A tiny object, yet carrying so much weight – literally and figuratively. Curator: Precisely. Considering its condition, one can only imagine where it has been. Editor: Reflecting on the coin’s journey through time makes you wonder about its significance in various historical events. Curator: A tangible link to a distant past.