Hexagram of Herakleios c. 615 - 638

Curator: This is the Hexagram of Herakleios, a silver coin weighing just over six grams, made under Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad Caliphate. Editor: It’s surprisingly delicate, isn't it? The way the figures are etched—it feels almost ghostly. Curator: Coins like these are fascinating artifacts reflecting complex cultural shifts. The Umayyads initially imitated Byzantine coinage. Editor: You can definitely see the Byzantine influence. But what does it mean that the new rulers were mimicking existing imagery? Was it about legitimacy? Curator: Absolutely. Early Islamic rulers often used existing visual languages to assert their power. This coin was found with a hole—likely worn as an amulet. Editor: Wearing power—or protection—around your neck. That adds another layer to its meaning, doesn’t it? It becomes deeply personal. Curator: Precisely, shifting from public currency to private talisman. It's a powerful intersection of economics, politics, and personal belief. Editor: Thinking about that transition makes me see the coin in a whole new light. Curator: Indeed, a small object, but a window into a complex moment in history.