Coin of Pausanias of Macedonia c. 395

Editor: This is a coin of Pausanias of Macedonia, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks quite worn, but it also makes me curious about its past. What can you tell me about the symbolism on this coin? Curator: The wear itself is a symbol of time, of countless hands that held it, each a story untold. What figures do you discern? Editor: I think I can see a lion and maybe a face. Curator: Indeed. The lion often represents strength and royalty, while the face likely depicts a deity or perhaps Pausanias himself. Consider how these symbols were understood then, and how they echo through history. What does this continuity evoke for you? Editor: It makes me think about the enduring power of symbols to connect us across centuries. Curator: Precisely. These images aren't just decorations; they are echoes of a culture's aspirations, fears, and beliefs. The coin serves as a physical embodiment of cultural memory.