Coin of Lysimachos, King of Thrace c. 300

Curator: This is a coin of Lysimachos, King of Thrace. Its weight clocks in at just over six grams and it resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks humble. I’m immediately drawn to the worn texture, evidence of its circulation and the hands it must have passed through. Curator: Exactly. These coins served as potent propaganda tools, circulating images of power and legitimizing rule. Who gets memorialized, and who gets to control their image? Editor: And what about the material itself? Bronze, though valuable, was also accessible. The choice speaks volumes about economic structures and social status. Curator: Yes, and how did such objects reinforce the hierarchical power structures of the time? What did the exchange signify within the social fabric? Editor: Considering the process of casting and distribution, we gain insight into the labor and resources needed to maintain Lysimachos’ image. Curator: A powerful reminder that even small objects carry significant weight in understanding the complexities of history and power. Editor: I agree; examining the coin's making and use allows us to appreciate its tangible link to the past.