Coin of Lysimachos, King of Thrace c. 300

Curator: Here we have a coin of Lysimachos, King of Thrace, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a humble piece, really, at just over 3 grams. Editor: It looks aged, almost forgotten. What narrative does such a small object hold? Curator: Well, consider its purpose. Coins weren't just currency; they were potent symbols of power. Lysimachos, commissioning his own image, controlled his own representation. Editor: The portrait suggests a figure of authority, but the wear also speaks to a past of circulation, of being held by countless hands, each with their own stories. Curator: Exactly! The coin circulated within a specific economic and political framework. Its imagery reinforced Lysimachos' legitimacy and projected his power throughout his realm. Editor: And now, it sits quietly in a museum case, prompting us to reflect on power, representation, and the lives intertwined with this small piece of metal. Curator: Indeed, it reminds us how even mundane objects can illuminate complex historical forces. Editor: It's a stark reminder of how value, whether economic or symbolic, shifts over time.