Coin of Herakleios c. 628 - 629

Editor: This is a coin of Herakleios by Abd-al-Malik from the Umayyad Dynasty. The material is fascinating - a glimpse into a specific economic system. How would you interpret the coin's value as a commodity and a historical artifact? Curator: It's tempting to see this coin solely as currency, but I urge you to consider the labor and resources invested in its creation. The mining of the metal, the artistry of the die-cutter, and the political power asserted in its iconography reveal the social forces at play. How did it function in the economic and social life of its time? Editor: So you're suggesting we look beyond its face value to understand the complex web of production and power? Curator: Exactly. Its creation and circulation were deeply embedded in material realities that shaped the lives of individuals and empires. Examining this coin from a materialist perspective allows us to appreciate its significance beyond its monetary worth. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about! Thanks.