Stater of Philip II of Macedonia, Pella c. 336

Curator: Here we have a Stater of Philip II of Macedonia, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s remarkable how much power resides in such a small thing. The gold positively gleams! Curator: Indeed. On one side, we see Philip II's head, adorned with a laurel wreath—a potent symbol of victory and kingship. And on the other, a chariot race. Editor: Those horses, practically bursting off the coin! Think of the labor required to extract and refine that gold. The hands that struck the die, each coin a unit of exchange, a token of empire. Curator: And a symbol of Philip's ambition and vision. Every detail, from the wreath to the galloping horses, contributes to a carefully constructed image of power and legitimacy. Editor: To hold this in your hand then, would mean holding not just wealth, but a piece of the king's very image. Curator: A captivating confluence of artistry and authority. Editor: It does make you think about what we consider valuable, doesn't it?