Coin of Herakleios c. 612 - 613

Curator: Look at this fascinating find, a "Coin of Herakleios" crafted under Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s a striking little thing, isn't it? The metal's aged patina gives it a weighty, almost somber feel. Curator: Indeed, this coin's symbolism reveals a crucial moment of transition, reflecting the Umayyad dynasty's adaptation and appropriation of Byzantine imagery. Editor: You can almost feel the cultural tug-of-war, the visual language shifting, with symbols clashing and coalescing into something new. It’s power redefined. Curator: Precisely, these coins served not only as currency but as powerful declarations of dominance in a contested political landscape, reflecting the transformation of Byzantium in the late 7th century. Editor: It is a physical embodiment of history, a symbol that resonates through time.