Coin of Herakleios c. 612 - 613

Curator: Here we have a Coin of Herakleios, created by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad dynasty, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks incredibly worn, doesn't it? I'm struck by how the material itself—probably bronze—testifies to its long history of circulation. Curator: Indeed, this coin represents a fascinating moment in the transition of power and iconography, from Byzantium to the Umayyad Caliphate. Consider how this object played a role in the establishment of a new political and economic order. Editor: And think about the skill needed to create these dies! The impressions, though degraded, speak to a sophisticated understanding of material manipulation and mass production. Curator: Absolutely, it's a potent symbol of shifting empires and the ways in which regimes assert dominance through imagery and control over economic systems. Editor: Seeing the wear on this coin, and knowing it once passed from hand to hand, is a powerful reminder of its original functionality and lasting impact.