Hemidrachm of Phokis under Phayllos c. 354

Curator: This is a Hemidrachm of Phokis under Phayllos, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first about this ancient coin? Editor: It feels weighty, you know? Not just physically, but emotionally. The bull has this raw power, yet the woman's profile on the other side is so refined. It’s a heavy dichotomy. Curator: Indeed. The obverse displays the head of a bull, likely a symbol of the region's agricultural wealth. The reverse features a woman's profile, perhaps a nymph or deity. Editor: The nymph almost feels like she’s sighing, trapped on this small piece of metal, while the bull is ready to charge. It's like a mini-drama is playing out. Curator: The artist's skill in capturing such nuanced expression within such a small space is remarkable. Editor: Absolutely. It's a tiny window into a whole world of stories and feelings. Curator: Precisely, and that's what makes it enduring. Editor: You feel that?