Coin of Antiochos III, the Great of Syria, Antioch c. 222

Curator: Look at this coin of Antiochos III, the Great, of Syria, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. A tiny, humble thing, isn’t it? Editor: Yes, but a potent symbol, even now. I see a powerful king projecting his image, quite literally, onto the currency. The elephant is a very strong symbol. Curator: Indeed. We need to consider its metallic content, where it was minted, and how these coins facilitated trade routes. An artifact connecting production and consumption. Editor: But the elephant! It likely represented the Seleucid empire’s power, military might, and perhaps even a connection to the exotic. It speaks volumes about how Antiochos wished to be perceived. Curator: The coin's worn condition and the base metal composition hints at the everyday circulation and use. Its value resided as much in the material as it did in its face value. Editor: Fair enough. But tracing the imagery can reveal a great deal about the cultural memory. A small object, but a massive impact in its own way. Curator: Agreed, these material objects really do tell a complex story. Editor: Absolutely. A lasting, weighty legacy.