Stater of Ptolemy I of Egypt, Kyrene c. 305

Curator: Here we have a gold stater, a coin, made in Kyrene for Ptolemy I Soter, weighing just over 7 grams. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The luster is incredible! I immediately sense a potent mix of power and antiquity, shimmering with its story, a little golden sun almost. Curator: Its materiality is indeed key. Gold was a signifier of wealth and power. The production of these coins allowed Ptolemy to standardize currency. Editor: You know, holding something like this connects you to history, doesn't it? Imagine all the hands it's passed through, all the transactions witnessed. It's a weighty little time capsule. Curator: Absolutely, and considering the social context, these staters facilitated trade, paid soldiers, and bolstered Ptolemaic rule in the region. Editor: To think something so small once held so much sway...It’s a bit magical. Curator: Looking at it that way, maybe we can appreciate how even mundane objects can reveal larger historical narratives. Editor: Yes, exactly—a reminder that art’s not just about what we see, but what it helps us feel and understand about the world around us, then and now.