Coin of Antiochos VIII Grypos of Syria c. 121 - 196

Editor: This is a coin of Antiochos VIII Grypos of Syria, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels incredibly weighty, not just in material but in history. What symbols endure here? Curator: This coin, though small, is dense with symbolic intention. Consider the figure likely depicted: how does a ruler signal power, divinity, legitimacy through a single, enduring image? Editor: I see what looks like a figure. So, it’s about continuity and legacy? Curator: Precisely. Every element—the figure, any inscription, the metal itself—speaks to a cultural memory. It's a constant re-affirmation, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely. It's fascinating how much meaning can be packed into such a small object. Curator: Indeed.