Coin of Mattathias Antigonus, Judaea 40 BCE-37 BCE

Curator: The “Coin of Mattathias Antigonus, Judaea” from the Harvard Art Museums strikes me as a study in the poetics of decay. Editor: Indeed, the verdigris bloom across the coin's surface speaks volumes about its age and the socio-political struggles it silently witnessed. Consider that this coin was issued during a tumultuous time in Jewish history. Curator: Focusing on its materiality, I’m fascinated by how the circular form of the coin is echoed in the patina's concentric patterns. There's a sort of contained energy, despite its worn state. Editor: Absolutely, the coin served as a potent symbol of Jewish autonomy and resistance against Roman rule. It embodies themes of identity, power, and cultural survival. Curator: I find the contrast between the smooth, untouched metal and the rough corrosion to be particularly compelling—a testament to the passage of time. Editor: Viewing it through a lens of postcolonial theory, it prompts us to question the narratives of power, resilience, and the enduring legacy of resistance movements. Curator: I agree, this small object offers a powerful meditation on history. Editor: It's a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent within identity and cultural survival.