Coin of Antiochos VII Eurgetes of Syria, Antioch c. 2th century

Curator: Well, look at this humble little thing. It's a coin dating back to Antiochos VII Eurgetes of Syria. It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's beautifully unassuming, isn’t it? The patina of age gives it this almost earthy, grounded feel. Like holding a tiny piece of ancient history in your palm. Curator: Exactly! And what's intriguing is thinking about how something so small—a mere 2.68 grams—could represent the power of a ruler and the economy of a kingdom. Editor: I wonder how many hands it passed through, and the stories it could tell. The act of minting and circulating coins was a potent tool for projecting authority. Did the act of holding it give the people a sense of belonging? Curator: Absolutely! It's a tangible link to the past, reminding us that even empires leave echoes in the smallest of objects. Editor: Yes, such a poignant reminder that even the grandest narratives are built from countless small exchanges.