Twenty-Five Litrae of Agathokles,Tyrant of Syracuse c. 310

Curator: This is a coin, "Twenty-Five Litrae of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse," bearing his name, and it resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s so tiny! And yet, holding so much history... I’m struck by the profile on one side – a face gazing into eternity. Curator: Precisely! These coins weren't just currency; they were tools of political messaging, crafted to solidify Agathokles's power and project an image of leadership. Editor: Leader, tyrant, ruler... Words change so much through time, like this coin has – softened around the edges. That reverse side, though, that enigmatic symbol... Curator: The symbol, historians suggest, represents a captured military standard, a potent declaration of victory and dominance. Editor: A tiny monument to a giant ego, then? Curator: Perhaps, but also a testament to the enduring power of symbols, and the lengths to which rulers will go to shape their legacy. Editor: Makes you wonder what our money says about us now... This little disc speaks volumes.