Drachm of the Koinon of Epeiros c. 234

Curator: Here we have a Drachm of the Koinon of Epeiros, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the weight of history in such a small, worn object. It feels like holding a story. Curator: Absolutely. These coins, like this one, were not just currency; they were powerful symbols of regional identity and autonomy within the broader Hellenistic world. Editor: The profile of Zeus on one side, so meticulously rendered, speaks volumes about the cultural values of the time. And that eagle on the other side... it's regal, almost defiant. Curator: That eagle, often associated with Zeus, reinforces that connection to divine authority, essential for projecting power. Editor: I wonder, what stories has this little drachm been a part of? What hands has it passed through? Curator: Precisely! It's a tangible link to a distant past, a microcosm of the political and economic landscape of Epeiros. Editor: It really does make you think differently about money. More than just currency, it's cultural and historical currency, too.