Coin of Perge under Philip II 247 - 249

Curator: What a fascinating artifact; we're looking at a coin of Perge under Philip II, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a very aged quality. The surface is pitted, and the details are obscured, as if time itself is a layer of the composition. Curator: Indeed, the coin's design elements—though worn—still communicate the power and iconography associated with Philip II's rule. Notice the remaining impression of his portrait. Editor: I'm more drawn to the material itself. Consider the labor involved in minting these, the distribution networks, and how this small object facilitated trade and control. Curator: Precisely, it serves as a reminder of the complex semiotics of power during that era. Editor: And a potent reminder of the economic and social systems embedded in its very substance. It's about production. Curator: A worthwhile insight, and a perfect final observation. Editor: Yes, it shows how even mundane objects contain entire histories.