Coin of Herakleios c. 614 - 641

Curator: Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad Dynasty created this coin, referred to as the Coin of Herakleios. The artwork can be found in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The coin’s form is, to me, quite striking, especially given its eroded condition. The composition, though simple, speaks of intention. Curator: Originally, this coin wasn't merely currency; it served as a potent symbol of cultural and political negotiation, reflecting the shift from Byzantine rule to the Umayyad Caliphate. It’s a visual representation of power dynamics. Editor: I see the formal elements as crucial—the lines, the figures, and their arrangement. How does the semiotic weight of the figures relate to its function as currency? Curator: This coin offers a lens into a transformative era where religious and cultural identities were being redefined, challenging the narratives of both the colonizer and the colonized. Editor: It’s the marriage of function and representation which creates such a compelling object. Curator: Indeed, seeing this coin not just as an object of value but as a historical marker, we gain a deeper understanding of its significance. Editor: Precisely, the interplay between form and context elevates this coin beyond mere currency.