Coin Depicting a Parasol 42-43, reign of King Herod Agrippa I (37-43)

This small silver coin, depicting a parasol, was made by an unknown Judean artist. A coin is, first and foremost, a material of exchange, a facilitator of trade, and a kind of certificate issued by a governing power. The coin’s materiality speaks to the very nature of economic transaction, it also makes a claim about governance. The imagery of a parasol has symbolic meaning, representing royalty, power, and protection. But, a coin is also a relief sculpture in miniature, a product of immense skill. In this case, we see how much information and labor can be concentrated in a single, small object, and how the economics, politics, and aesthetics are all fused in this coin. The artistry of this coin is also important, as it elevates the coin from a mere object of utility to a symbol of cultural identity and artistic expression. The parasol reminds us that even the smallest of things can carry significant cultural and historical weight.