Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 317

Curator: Here we have a coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse. Just 5.55 grams of material history, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, it feels ancient and weighty somehow, even seeing it here. The patina tells such a story of time and touch. Curator: Indeed. Consider the obverse: a portrait, likely of Agathokles himself, though perhaps with a touch of idealized representation, wreathed in laurel. The reverse features a charging elephant. Editor: The elephant feels almost like a primal force, raw and untamed. It's interesting, putting it alongside a ruler's portrait—a juxtaposition of power, both wild and controlled. Curator: Precisely. The artistry involved in its creation is undeniable. A sophisticated play between power and the natural world. Editor: It really makes you think about the narratives we imprint on these objects and what we seek to preserve. Curator: Absolutely, a potent reminder of the past, transformed by the present.