Coin of SInope c. 2th century

Curator: Let's consider this coin of Sinope, made under the rule of Mithradates VI Eupator. Weighing in at just over 6.6 grams, its material speaks volumes about trade and power. Editor: It looks worn, like something found after being lost a long time ago. The image is so simple and primitive yet it feels important. Curator: Indeed, the wear and the weight both tell a story. The metal itself—likely silver—would have been a valuable commodity, linking this small object to larger networks of resource extraction. Editor: And the image itself? What stories does it want to tell us about the king? It feels like a sun wearing a human face... Curator: The iconography would have been carefully chosen, referencing solar deities to associate the ruler with divine power, reinforcing his authority through widespread circulation and usage. Editor: What a fascinating object. Even its imperfections whisper stories of hands passed and pockets held, across time. Curator: Absolutely. This coin is a potent symbol, embodying the material realities and ideological aspirations of its era.