Drachm of the Koinon of Thessaly c. 150

Curator: Here we have a Drachm of the Koinon of Thessaly, weighing in at 4.2 grams, and residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's captivating how such a small object embodies monumental shifts in power and social structures. Curator: Absolutely. Examining the material, probably silver, and the process by which it was minted offers insight into Thessaly’s economic systems, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, and the imagery – a Thessalian head on one side and a representation of a Thessalian hero on the other - tells a carefully constructed narrative about Thessalian identity. Who was included, who was excluded? Curator: The very act of minting and circulating such a coin broadcasts and reinforces that very identity. Editor: Thinking about the labor involved in producing these drachms, the mines, the workshops… It really contextualizes the economics of the time. Curator: Indeed, a tangible link to the past. Editor: It’s intriguing how a simple coin can open discussions about economics, identity, and the material conditions of an entire society.