Stater of the Koinon of Thessaly 44 BCE-40 BCE

Curator: Before us, we have a Stater of the Koinon of Thessaly, a silver coin from ancient Greece, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels heavy with history, doesn't it? That patina, the worn details... it speaks of transactions, of lives lived. Curator: Absolutely. The head on one side is likely the river god Peneus, a local deity. The other side depicts Athena, helmeted and holding a thunderbolt. Editor: Athena—a symbol of wisdom and warfare. Her presence here speaks volumes about Thessaly’s self-image, projecting power and intellect. The river god suggests resources, the lifeblood of the region. Curator: These coin images, circulated widely, reinforced a visual identity and cultural values. Editor: And a patriarchal structure, obviously. The goddesses and gods, the symbolic dominance... currency not just as a medium of exchange but of ideology. Curator: Indeed, these images echo across the centuries, shaping our understanding of the ancient world. Editor: Examining it, even as a single coin, has me contemplating the complex tapestry of power and belief.