Posthumous decadrachm of Berenike II, Alexandria c. 211

Curator: This exquisite coin, held here at the Harvard Art Museums, is a posthumous decadrachm of Berenike II, minted in Alexandria. I’m immediately struck by its quiet strength. The profile is so dignified, almost haunting. Editor: Yes, and it is a powerful example of how ruling dynasties use iconography to project power, even after death. The cornucopia on the reverse, symbolizing prosperity and abundance, sends a very clear message. Curator: Absolutely. And consider how personal, intimate even, it is to hold something that was once handled, traded, and perhaps even cherished by someone in ancient Alexandria. Editor: Indeed. Coins like this were crucial to the Ptolemaic dynasty's image, linking rulers to divine status and projecting that image throughout the Mediterranean world. They're propaganda as much as currency. Curator: Propaganda with an artistic flair! This small coin unlocks such vast historical perspectives. Editor: A potent reminder of how art and power are intertwined.