Coin of Ballaios of Illyria c. 167

Curator: Here we have a Coin of Ballaios of Illyria, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The corrosion gives it such a melancholic aura. And it is interesting to see it here in the museum, outside its functional use, a purely aesthetic contemplation. Curator: Quite so. Notice the arrangement of forms and the striking contrast between the green patina and the underlying copper. The surface texture creates a complex interplay of light and shadow. Editor: It’s remarkable how such a small object could carry such significant weight. It speaks to the power and authority of Ballaios, who clearly aimed to immortalize himself through this widely circulated iconography. Curator: Indeed, the coin’s symbolic value transcends its material composition. The circular shape and worn edges add to its structural depth. Editor: It makes one wonder about all the transactions this coin was involved in, all the hands it passed through. It acts as a tangible link to the past. Curator: A fascinating nexus of form and meaning, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Definitely, a testament to the enduring power of symbols.