Coin of Antiochos III of Syria, Antioch c. 222

Curator: Here we see a coin of Antiochos III of Syria, likely dating from his reign in the late 3rd century BCE. Editor: Its worn texture and greenish patina convey age and evoke a sense of profound history. Curator: Indeed, the coin served as both currency and propaganda. Coins like these played a critical role in legitimizing Antiochos’ rule. Editor: The profile on one side, presumably Antiochos himself, embodies power, while the depiction on the reverse suggests a temple or altar, hinting at religious authority. Curator: Coins facilitated the spread of Seleucid power and ideology, making visible the connection between the ruler and the state. This one provides insight into the political theater of the Hellenistic world. Editor: To hold this coin, to feel its weight and imagine its journey through time...it speaks volumes about how visual symbols endure and shape our understanding of the past.