Hexagram of Herakleios c. 615 - 638

Curator: Here we have a Hexagram of Herakleios, a silver coin currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums, crafted by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad dynasty. It weighs 6.65 grams. Editor: It looks quite worn, yet the figures still convey a somber, almost regal bearing, despite the coin's diminished state. Curator: Absolutely, the production of this coin speaks volumes about the economic and political landscape of the time, reflecting the Umayyad Caliphate's adoption of Byzantine coinage standards and imagery, yet also subtly incorporating their own power symbols. Editor: The coin's composition, the arrangement of figures, the deliberate use of silver—it all contributes to a symbolic language of power and authority. Curator: Precisely. The very act of minting and circulating such coins was an assertion of control over trade and resources. Editor: Reflecting on the coin’s design and form offers a glimpse into cultural fusion, where traditions merged. Curator: Indeed, and considering its role in trade, taxation, and power, it offers a tangible link to history.