Tetradrachm of Demetrios II of Syria, Second Reign, Damascus c. 129

Curator: This is a silver tetradrachm minted during the second reign of Demetrios II Nikator of Syria, likely in Damascus. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the wear. It’s a powerful reminder of how many hands this small object passed through. Curator: Absolutely. The portrait on the obverse features Demetrios with flowing hair and a regal bearing. The reverse shows a seated Zeus, a symbol of power and divine authority. Editor: Zeus is also holding a scepter, further emphasizing that authority. I wonder, what role did coinage play in conveying power and legitimacy? Curator: Coins were a primary means of disseminating royal imagery and asserting control. Demetrios's likeness, paired with Zeus, visually linked him to both earthly and divine power. It was propaganda on a small scale. Editor: A lasting one, clearly. It really makes you consider the echoes of past empires that still resonate through visual symbols. Curator: Indeed, it shows how deeply images are interwoven with political narratives.