Coin of Perge under Philip II 244 - 249

Editor: This is a coin of Perge under Philip II, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s incredible to think about the hands it must have passed through. What stories do you think it holds? Curator: As an object, a coin doesn't just represent currency; it embodies power, legitimacy, and cultural identity. Coins like this one acted as miniature billboards. What symbols do you see? Editor: It's hard to make them out, but I think I see a figure of a man, maybe Phillip? And something else... Curator: Indeed. These images, although worn with age, would have been instantly recognizable. They tap into a shared understanding, reinforcing the ruler's image and the city's iconography. It's a continuous loop of visual messaging. I wonder, what does this coin tell us about the city of Perge’s relationship with Phillip? Editor: So much to consider! I'll never look at a coin the same way again. Curator: Nor will I, that's the beauty of art. It changes our perception.