Coin of Lysimachos, King of Thrace c. 300

Curator: This is a coin of Lysimachos, King of Thrace, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Its weight is a modest 2.04 grams. Editor: It looks unassuming. The patina of age gives it a powerful, almost melancholy aura. Curator: The circulation of coinage was central to how kingdoms maintained socio-economic control. Royal imagery projected power, and also legitimized the leader's role. Editor: It's interesting to think about who held this object, and what their relationship to power was. How did its symbolism translate across class and gender lines? Curator: Exactly! Its impact surely varied. Editor: Considering its journey through time and hands, this little coin embodies a rich history. Curator: Indeed, it’s a small artifact that opens up expansive questions about power, identity, and exchange.