Tetradrachm of Katane signed by Herakleidas c. 405

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm of Katane, a coin signed by Herakleidas. It’s part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. The coin is pretty worn, but you can still make out a chariot and a head in profile. What can you tell me about the imagery on a coin like this? Curator: Coins like this one reveal much about a society’s values. This coin served not just as currency, but also as propaganda. The imagery - the chariot race, the god or hero's head - spoke to Katane's wealth, military strength, and cultural identity. How do you think these images would have been received by the public? Editor: I guess they would have felt proud of their city. It’s like a little billboard. Curator: Precisely! It highlights the intersection of art, commerce, and civic pride in the ancient world. Now, what does learning about coins tell us about society? Editor: I see. It's a small object carrying a lot of weight, symbolically and historically.