Coin of Alexander the Great, Macedonia mint c. 336

Curator: This coin, held at the Harvard Art Museums, depicts Alexander the Great. It's a poignant, weighty piece, isn't it? Editor: My eye is immediately drawn to the marks of wear and the rough texture—the sheer physicality of this object speaks volumes. Curator: Absolutely. The coin’s images - Alexander as Herakles, the eagle of Zeus - connect him to divine power and a lineage of heroes. Editor: And let's not forget its function. This wasn't just art; it was currency, a tool of empire, representing labor, exchange, and control across vast territories. Curator: Precisely, iconography employed for power. It’s a fascinating dance between symbol and system. Editor: Seeing this small object connects you directly to the economics and labor of the ancient world, an artifact that carries the weight of history. Curator: To see how potent symbols could be... it gives one pause. Editor: It’s a reminder that even the smallest object can be charged with the energy of material conditions.