Half Follis of Herakleios, Carthage 610 - 641

Editor: Here we have a Half Follis of Herakleios, minted in Carthage by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyad Caliphate. It’s amazing to think of the lives this coin has touched. What can you tell me about the historical context? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about shifting power dynamics. Abd-al-Malik's adaptation of Byzantine coinage served as a visual declaration of Umayyad authority and a direct challenge to Byzantine dominance. Consider the ways in which cultural symbols are deployed in these assertions of political legitimacy. What do you make of it? Editor: It’s like he’s saying, "We’re here now." Curator: Exactly! And through this artifact, we can explore the complex interplay between economic, political, and religious ideologies in the early Islamic world. It allows us to reflect on the lasting impacts of colonialism and the ways identity is negotiated through material culture. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Curator: Indeed. This coin invites us to delve deeper into the nuanced narratives of power and cultural exchange.