Coin of Herakleios c. 622 - 623

Curator: Look at this gold coin, attributed to Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads. It's titled "Coin of Herakleios." Editor: It’s quite striking. The scale is deceptively small, but it radiates wealth and power. I’m immediately drawn to its materiality and the textures of the die-striking. Curator: Right, and the production of this coin is fascinating. Think about the labor involved, from mining the gold to the engraving process. It speaks to the economic systems at play during that era. Editor: And the socio-political implications! This coin, a form of early Islamic currency, circulated in a region with established Byzantine traditions. It’s a statement of authority, isn't it? A visual assertion of a new regime. Curator: Precisely. The imagery, a modified Byzantine design, shows an adaptation of pre-existing power structures to create something new. The material itself signals its value and reach. Editor: Looking at this coin, you really get a sense of how even mundane objects played a pivotal role in shaping history. Curator: Indeed, a small yet resonant testament to cultural and economic shifts.