Coin of the Koinon of Epiros c. 238

Editor: This is a coin from the Koinon of Epiros, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s weathered, and the details are worn, but I'm curious about its significance. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Considering the coin's production, what does its very existence tell us about the social and economic structures of Epiros? Think about the labor involved in mining, refining, and stamping the metal. Editor: So it's not just a piece of currency, but evidence of industry and trade? Curator: Exactly! The coin represents a whole system of resource extraction and manufacturing. Who controlled these processes, and how did they benefit from them? Editor: I never thought about a coin representing such complex systems! Curator: Coins provide a tangible link to the economic and political realities of the past.