semis of Heraclius c. 629 - 641

Editor: Here we have the semis of Heraclius by Abd-al-Malik, a small gold coin. The wear and tear really show its age and journey through different hands. As a material object, what can it tell us about its time? Curator: It speaks volumes! Look at the gold itself. Where did it come from? Who mined it? And consider the minting process—the labor, the tools, the technology. This coin represents power, certainly, but also a vast network of production and consumption. Editor: So, more than just currency, it’s a record of labor and resources? Curator: Precisely. The design, initially imitating Byzantine coinage, then evolving with Arabic script, shows a shift in power and cultural influence reflected in material culture. It’s a potent symbol of changing economies. Editor: It’s fascinating to consider something so small representing such complex systems. Curator: Absolutely. Examining the materiality allows us to question how art and craft intersect with labor and economic shifts.