Coin of the Epeirote Republic c. 238

Curator: This is a coin issued by the Epeirote Republic, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks remarkably worn, which really speaks to its history as a form of currency, handled and circulated by many hands. Curator: Absolutely. Consider that this coin embodies the identity of a republic that was constantly navigating power struggles. The imagery and the very act of minting currency was a statement of sovereignty. Editor: And the materials themselves, likely bronze, speak to the resources and trade networks available to the Epeirote Republic. It is also interesting to think of the labour involved in the striking of this coin. Curator: It highlights the socio-political dynamics of the time, reminding us that even small objects can carry immense historical weight. Editor: Indeed, it underscores the importance of examining the tangible objects as evidence of human activity, trade, and governance. Curator: Looking at this coin, it's impossible not to reflect on the ebb and flow of power, and the stories etched into the very fabric of our past. Editor: It definitely prompts us to consider what a coin could possibly tell us about the social relations of production in the Epeirote Republic.