Coin of Herakleios c. 610 - 611

Curator: The coin before us, attributed to Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads, presents a fascinating intersection of power and representation. Weighing in at 11.55 grams, it’s held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as quite crude, yet potent. The corrosion almost adds a sense of historical weight. Curator: Indeed. Notice how the central figure, likely Herakleios, is rendered with a stark frontality. The emphasis is not on naturalism, but on conveying authority through a simplified, almost iconic form. Editor: Absolutely. The cross above the figure's head and the surrounding script embed it within a specific cultural and religious context, yet the Umayyad influence subtly reshapes those pre-existing symbols. Curator: Precisely, a transformation of visual language. The composition’s balance—or perhaps imbalance—creates a tension that mirrors the shifting political landscape of the era. Editor: The verdigris too, like a patina of centuries, seems to echo this complex exchange of power and identity. Curator: A poignant observation. Ultimately, this coin offers a rich study in how form and symbol negotiate history. Editor: A silent witness, indeed, speaking volumes.