Coin of Herakleios c. 613 - 616

Editor: Here we have a gold coin, titled "Coin of Herakleios," by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad dynasty, located at the Harvard Art Museums. Its weight is listed as 4.42 grams. Looking at it, I'm struck by the detail crammed into such a small space. What strikes you about this coin? Curator: It’s a fascinating example of cultural negotiation. Coins weren't just currency; they were potent symbols of power. The Umayyads, initially emulating Byzantine coinage, gradually asserted their own identity. Editor: So, it was a deliberate act? Curator: Precisely. Replacing Byzantine imagery with Arabic script was a powerful statement of cultural and political dominance, marking a shift in the visual landscape and projecting a new authority. Editor: I see! It is a way of demonstrating their presence and power. Curator: Exactly. A transformation of public imagery to reflect changing power dynamics. It's about who gets to define the visual narrative. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks for pointing that out!