Coin of Stephen Urosh II of Serbia 1321 - 1330

Curator: I see two sides of a story here, literally. Editor: Indeed, we're looking at a coin of Stephen Urosh II of Serbia, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a tiny thing, just 0.74 grams of history. Curator: It's quite worn, a ghostly sheen. Makes me wonder what hands it passed through, what desires it fueled. You almost feel the weight of bygone eras. Editor: Coins like these, even in their worn state, are fascinating relics of political and economic power, circulated to legitimize the ruler. Curator: Absolutely, the ruler's face staring out, a mini-propaganda machine. It's about projecting power, isn’t it? Making oneself visible, unavoidable even, in every transaction. Editor: Exactly. Though unsigned, the imagery is carefully chosen to resonate with his subjects and underscore his authority. Curator: In a way, it's a piece of portable theater, bringing a potent narrative to even the humblest markets. Editor: A potent story compressed into a small metallic disc. Curator: Beautifully put! I'm left contemplating what modern objects will carry the weight of our stories centuries from now. Editor: Food for thought. For now, let us appreciate these enduring, if humble, vestiges of history.