Hemidrachm of the Koinon of Thessaly c. 465

Editor: This is a Hemidrachm from the Koinon of Thessaly, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes me is how such a small object could carry so much symbolic weight. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This coin represents more than just monetary value; it’s a symbol of regional identity and political alliance. The Koinon of Thessaly was a federation of city-states, and imagery like this horse on one side and possibly a wheat stalk on the other would have served to visually unify and promote their collective strength. What do you make of the imagery? Editor: I see how the horse might represent strength and the wheat stalk fertility or agriculture. Curator: Precisely! This coin, in its design and circulation, played a part in constructing and reinforcing a shared Thessalian identity. The images chosen reflect the values and resources they wished to project, both internally and to the wider world. It’s fascinating how such a small artifact can reveal so much about the socio-political landscape of its time. Editor: That's amazing! I never thought a coin could be such a powerful statement.