Coin of Philetairos of Pergamon c. 3th century

Curator: At first glance, this coin has a somewhat severe appearance, doesn't it? A serious portrait and a stark image on the reverse. Editor: Indeed. We're looking at a coin of Philetairos of Pergamon, held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Curator: Pergamon, of course, was a Hellenistic kingdom in Anatolia. Philetairos, the founder of the dynasty, is represented on this coin. What makes it interesting is how it functioned as propaganda. Editor: Absolutely. The choice of imagery, the weight of 1.85 grams, all spoke to power and legitimacy. The face on it may have been a pointed political decision, designed to project authority. Curator: It's a fascinating glimpse into the visual language of ancient power, isn't it? Makes you think about what messages we embed in our own currency and public images. Editor: It really does. It reminds us that even the smallest objects can carry immense cultural and political weight.