Coin of Alexander III the Great, Macedonia c. 336

Curator: Here we have a coin, identified as a Coin of Alexander III the Great, from Macedonia, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Its weathered surface gives it a palpable sense of history and touch. The patina speaks volumes about the processes it has endured. Curator: Indeed. Note how the engraved profile of Alexander, though worn, still projects an image of idealized strength. The intentionality of the artist is evident in its enduring composition. Editor: And think of the labor involved in its creation! The extraction of materials, the die-striking, the sheer volume of coins produced to fuel an empire. Curator: Precisely, the coin functioned as a signifier of power, employing visual language to communicate authority and dominion. Editor: It's also a testament to the durability of basic materials like silver and bronze. This object, though small, has outlived empires and continues to communicate. Curator: The artistry in the coin's composition remains relevant even today. It's a micro-sculpture, ripe with aesthetic codes. Editor: I see it now, a tangible emblem forged from raw materials. Curator: A lasting impression, indeed.