Tetradrachm of Kleopatra VII, Alexandria 51 -50 BCE

Curator: Today we are looking at a Tetradrachm of Kleopatra VII from Alexandria, residing in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Immediately, the coin's silvery, almost ghostly patina strikes me. It evokes a sense of antiquity and resilience, despite the wear and tear. Curator: This coin presents a fascinating glimpse into Cleopatra's self-fashioning. Notice the laurel wreath, a symbol echoing Hellenistic rulers and Roman emperors. Editor: Yes, and the sharp profile portrait—the lines are almost severe. On the reverse, we see an eagle, a potent symbol of power and dominion, rendered with surprising detail for such a small space. Curator: Indeed, the eagle connects her rule to that of the Ptolemies, tying her reign to centuries of established power, a carefully constructed image. It's a visual claim to legitimacy. Editor: Considering the scale and the material, the level of craftsmanship is remarkable. The subtle variations in the surface, the way light catches the image—it’s all quite compelling. Curator: It's a potent reminder that even objects of everyday use can carry immense symbolic and political weight, echoing through history. Editor: A tiny object holding such grand ambition. It makes you wonder about the hands it passed through, the stories it could tell.