Drachm of Mithradates II of Parthia, Rhagai c. 123 - 188

Curator: Here we have a Drachm of Mithradates II of Parthia. It's a small silver coin currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkable to see such detail preserved on an object so small. The texture and the faint relief hint at the artistry involved in its creation. Curator: Absolutely. Coins like this were tools of political propaganda. Mithradates's imposing portrait would have reinforced his authority throughout the Parthian Empire. Editor: The balance between the portrait and the inscription creates an intriguing tension. One side is organic and vivid, the other, more static and symbolic. Curator: And that tension speaks volumes about how rulers like Mithradates II sought to legitimize their power, blending personal charisma with established traditions. Editor: Yes, a perfect harmony and balance that tells a story of that period.