Coin of Ptolemy I, Cyprus after 294

Editor: This coin of Ptolemy I from Cyprus, held at the Harvard Art Museums, is incredibly weathered. One side features a regal portrait, the other an eagle. What symbols do you see embedded within its images and materials? Curator: The coin’s surfaces certainly speak to time's passage. But consider the eagle, a constant symbol of power and divine authority across cultures. And what of Ptolemy himself? He strategically connects himself to Alexander the Great, appropriating Alexander's lion skin headdress. This association offers the promise of continued strength and legitimacy to his new kingdom. Does that change your perception? Editor: It does! I hadn’t considered how carefully Ptolemy crafted his image. It's a potent reminder of how leaders use symbols to shape their legacy. Curator: Absolutely. The coin becomes more than currency; it's a vessel of cultural memory, a whisper of power across millennia.