Coin of Alpi c. 12th century

Editor: This is a coin of Alpi by Najm al-Din Alpi from the Harvard Art Museums. It's small, a little corroded, but I can make out what looks like faces. What stories do you think it holds? Curator: Coins like this were often tools of propaganda, reflecting power dynamics. Who is represented on this coin and what does that tell us about the ruling class's construction of identity? Consider the use of script, too. How might the language reinforce that identity? Editor: So, it's not just money, it's a statement. Curator: Precisely. Think about how even today, currency reflects national values and historical narratives. This coin is a snapshot of a complex society and its priorities. Editor: I'll never look at loose change the same way again! Curator: Indeed, even the smallest object can hold immense historical significance.