Coin of Perge under Philip II 247 - 249

Editor: This is a "Coin of Perge under Philip II," held at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes me is its materiality - the weathered bronze speaks volumes. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The coin's value lies beyond mere currency. Bronze, the chosen material, reflects the available resources and technological capabilities of the time. Consider how its production and distribution shaped trade routes and power dynamics. Editor: So, you're focusing on the coin as a product of its material conditions? Curator: Precisely. It is not just an image; it is a physical manifestation of economic and social systems. The wear and tear speak to its circulation, its everyday use, and its eventual removal from that cycle. Editor: I hadn't considered it that way. Thanks for broadening my perspective. Curator: My pleasure. It's all about seeing the art within the artifact.