Coin of Herakleios c. 620

Curator: This coin of Herakleios was created under Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad Caliphate. It weighs around 15.23 grams and is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It feels incredibly tactile, even just seeing it. The verdigris hints at the passage of centuries, a physical embodiment of history. Curator: Absolutely. This coin represents a fascinating moment of transition. Abd-al-Malik initially adopted existing Byzantine coinage, adapting it to reflect the new Islamic authority. Editor: The symbolic shift must have been powerful. What symbols were retained, and what new messages did they convey? How were the people meant to understand this shift? Curator: The move towards distinctly Islamic coinage was gradual but significant, reflecting the consolidation of Umayyad power and the development of a unique visual language. Its circulation shaped economics. Editor: It's incredible to think of the lives this small object touched. The symbols imbued power, influenced trade, and shaped the very identity of the empire. It truly is a potent artifact.