Coin of Carthage, Sardinia c. 300

Curator: Here we have a Carthaginian coin from Sardinia, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's amazing to think that something so small could represent such a vast and powerful empire. It looks worn, aged, but the details still hint at its original craftsmanship. Curator: Absolutely. These coins were not just currency, they were powerful symbols of Carthaginian authority and trade networks in the region. The imagery would have been very carefully chosen. Editor: I'm drawn to the process of its creation. How much labor was involved in die-making and striking these coins on a large scale? And what metals were used? It speaks to a whole economy of extraction and production. Curator: Indeed. The use of silver or electrum signaled wealth and stability, crucial messages to project both internally and to rival states. It’s a calculated message of power through imagery and valuable resources. Editor: Thinking about the hands that passed this coin, the exchanges it facilitated, is humbling. It's a tangible link to a complex society. Curator: Precisely, these coins offer a glimpse into the economic and political landscape of the ancient Mediterranean. Editor: A small object, but filled with so much history.