Prutah of Herod I, the Great c. 40 - 44

Curator: We are looking at a Prutah of Herod I, the Great, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is… ancient longing, and the weight of history. These objects feel like whispers from a distant world. Curator: Indeed. Considering its size—less than three grams—it held considerable symbolic and economic power. It would have been a means to keep the economy running. Editor: What strikes me is the way the minimal design captures something so monumental. The double cornucopia and palm branch are like concentrated emblems of abundance and peace. Curator: Herod, ever the politician, cleverly uses these symbols, aligning his reign with prosperity and tradition. Editor: So, what we have here isn't just a coin, but a carefully crafted piece of propaganda. It makes you wonder about the stories and transactions this small bronze once facilitated. It could have been used to buy bread or maybe even hire a day laborer. Curator: Absolutely. Seeing it reminds us that even small objects can be vessels of potent history and political narrative. Editor: In a way, this prutah is a reminder that even the grandest empires ultimately filter down to the smallest coins in our pockets.