Coin of Herakleios c. 619 - 620

Editor: Here we have a coin of Herakleios, struck by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads. It's incredibly small! I wonder, what symbolic language can we unpack here? Curator: The symbolic palimpsest is rich! The Umayyads initially adopted Byzantine coinage, but observe how they subtly, then overtly, replaced Christian symbols with their own. What enduring psychological impact might altering familiar imagery have? Editor: So, it’s not just about the visuals, but also about changing what people were used to seeing? Curator: Precisely. The cross, a potent symbol, transforms into a geometric motif, shifting cultural memory. Can you feel the weight of that deliberate change? Editor: I do now. It’s fascinating to think about how visual symbols shape our understanding of power. Curator: Indeed. This coin whispers of cultural negotiation and transformation, a testament to the enduring power of images. Editor: I never thought a coin could be so revealing.