Coin of Herakleios c. 629 - 631

Curator: Here we have a gold coin made by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads, it's titled "Coin of Herakleios." Editor: It's striking how such a small object, just 4.46 grams, can carry so much historical weight. The gold itself speaks of power and trade. Curator: Indeed. It's fascinating how the imagery of Herakleios, a Byzantine emperor, was initially retained on these early Islamic coins. The cross is a potent symbol. Editor: Exactly, the cross on a stepped base is a clear marker of the Byzantine world, but its adoption by the Umayyads reveals a complex negotiation of power and identity. Was it appropriation? Tolerance? Curator: Perhaps both. Symbols are rarely static. The imagery, initially about continuity, would eventually evolve to reflect the new Islamic rulers. Editor: It reminds us that identity is never fixed. Thank you, I see how this artifact embodies the fluidity of cultural exchange during this period of transition.