Coin of Neapolis under Philip II c. 247 - 249

Curator: Here we have a "Coin of Neapolis under Philip II," from the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn't it? The patinated surface hints at centuries buried, a silent witness to forgotten markets and transactions. Curator: Indeed. What I find compelling is the very process of minting these coins. The labor involved in extracting the metal, creating the die, and striking each individual coin—a tangible connection to the economic engine of the era. Editor: Absolutely. And consider the imagery: the bust of Philip II, the deity astride the bull—symbols of power, prosperity, and divine favor carefully chosen to project a specific message. They speak to cultural aspirations and the ruler's carefully constructed image. Curator: The production and distribution of such objects served to normalize Philip's rule throughout his kingdom. Editor: It's a fascinating insight into the symbolic language embedded in everyday objects. Such a small object tells a story on the exchange of ancient worlds. Curator: Considering that, I wonder what will become of our currency, in a thousand years. Editor: Good question! One can only hope it carries as much historical resonance as this remarkable artifact.