Siglos of Croesus of Lydia, Sardis c. 560

Curator: This is a Siglos of Croesus of Lydia, Sardis. The artist is none other than Croesus himself. It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's humble, almost primitive, yet there's an undeniable weight to it—both literally, at 5.37 grams, and historically. What was it made of? Curator: It is made of electrum. These coins, issued by Croesus, revolutionized trade and economic power structures, transitioning from bartering to a standardized currency. Editor: Precisely! The shift from simple resource exchange to regulated coinage reflects a fundamental change in societal organization. The material itself embodies this transition from raw material to symbolic and material power. Curator: It is a tangible representation of the rise of a Lydian kingdom, showcasing how art becomes deeply intertwined with social and institutional evolution. Editor: Yes, it's more than just an object; it's a testament to the labor, extraction, and refinement processes that underpinned Croesus's reign. Curator: Indeed, a potent reminder that even the smallest artifact can illuminate vast historical landscapes. Editor: And demonstrate how deeply interwoven art is with material culture and the social implications of its production.