Stater of Philip II of Macedonia, Pella c. 340

Curator: Here we have a Stater of Philip II of Macedonia, Pella, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs a mere 8.57 grams. Editor: It's striking how lustrous it remains after all this time. And so small, yet clearly charged with meaning. Curator: Indeed. Observe the composition. On one side, a portrait, likely depicting Apollo with a laurel wreath. On the other, a chariot scene, signifying victory. The iconographic program is remarkable. Editor: The gold itself speaks volumes. It represents wealth, power, and the very real act of paying soldiers, funding wars, and consolidating control. Curator: A compelling point. The medium, here, is intrinsically linked to the message—a currency literally embodying authority. Editor: It’s humbling to consider how something so small could facilitate monumental historical shifts. Curator: Absolutely, it's a testament to the complex interplay between form and function. Editor: It does invite pondering the weight of history held in this single coin.