Stater of the Koinon of Thessaly 44 BCE-40 BCE

Curator: Look at the Stater of the Koinon of Thessaly, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. The first impression is that it appears worn, almost smoothed by time. Editor: The coin's worn surface speaks volumes about its history of circulation and handling. You can see the remnants of the process used to strike these coins from the details. Curator: Indeed. The obverse features a powerful, idealized head, while the reverse depicts a figure, perhaps a deity, surrounded by inscriptions. The relief shows the skill of the die engraver. Editor: The silver from which it was made, probably sourced locally, shows the economic power and resources of Thessaly at the time of its minting. The coin’s very material becomes a narrative in itself. Curator: The composition and the deliberate arrangement of symbolic elements create a visual language that reflects the values and identity of the Thessalian people. Editor: I find that fascinating—the idea that everyday currency could also function as a portable declaration of identity, produced with the clear intent to circulate a message with the coin. Curator: It's a powerful intersection of form and function. Editor: It truly does highlight how material and social forces shaped even the smallest objects.