Coin of Herakleios c. 613 - 616

Editor: This is a bronze coin of Herakleios by Abd-al-Malik. It looks quite worn, but what strikes me is how it connects us to a specific moment of cultural shift. What historical layers am I seeing here? Curator: Well, this coin isn't just an object of trade; it's a statement. Abd-al-Malik, an Umayyad caliph, strategically adapted Byzantine coinage to assert his power. The act of recasting these coins visually declared a shift in power. What do you think that meant for the local population? Editor: I guess it's a bold move meant to influence a population, integrating new symbols and beliefs while subtly erasing the old. It makes me consider the role of coinage as not just currency but as a form of public art. Curator: Exactly! And beyond aesthetics, consider the political implications. Coins circulated widely, entering homes and markets. Editor: Right, so this coin represents both the tangible and symbolic power of cultural transformation. That's a powerful connection! Curator: Precisely. The politics of imagery, indeed.