Coin of Herakleios c. 613 - 618

Editor: So, this is a Coin of Herakleios by Abd-al-Malik. It's a tiny thing, but I'm struck by the figures depicted and how worn it looks. What do you see in this piece, and what does it tell us about its time? Curator: It's a fascinating glimpse into a period of transition, isn’t it? The coin, likely minted by the Umayyads, initially mirrored Byzantine designs. But look closer—the gradual shift towards abstraction hints at a move away from representational imagery, maybe reflecting evolving religious sentiments. It's like a visual tug-of-war! Editor: Wow, that's a completely different way of seeing it. I was just thinking about the images! Curator: Precisely! It's about seeing beyond the surface, isn't it? What begins as one culture's visual language slowly transforms into something new. Editor: Definitely given me a lot to think about! Thanks!