Triobol of the Aenianes of Thessaly c. 400

Editor: So this is a Triobol coin made by the Aenianes of Thessaly. It's tiny but you can still see figures on it. What strikes you about it? Curator: It's a powerful reminder that even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant objects can carry immense cultural weight. Consider this coin not just as currency, but as a deliberate projection of Aeniane identity. Who did they choose to represent, and why? Editor: I see a male figure on one side...Zeus, maybe? What does that signify? Curator: Perhaps. Or a local hero appropriated to legitimise power. Currency was often used to disseminate political and religious messages. Consider the power dynamics embedded in this seemingly simple exchange. Editor: So much meaning packed into such a small object! I'll never look at money the same way. Curator: Precisely. Art like this demands we look beyond the surface and consider the narratives it silently promotes, even today.