Coin of Herakleios c. 612 - 613

Curator: This artifact is a coin of Herakleios, crafted by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad dynasty. Editor: It feels quite small, almost unassuming, yet there’s a clear density suggested by its material. Curator: Indeed. Weighing about 12 grams, its existence speaks to the profound shifts in power and cultural identity. Note the meticulous labor required to produce such a volume of coinage and how these coins facilitated trade and governance. Editor: Precisely. This coin isn't merely currency; it's a political statement, circulated within a society undergoing significant transformation and used by new institutions. Its imagery would have been carefully considered to project authority. Curator: Absolutely, and examining the material composition can also reveal the resources available and the technological capabilities of the time. Editor: Ultimately, this little coin encapsulates so much about that era's socio-political and economic landscape. Curator: A tangible link to a complex period, forged in the crucible of social and material forces.