Tetradrachm of Cleopatra Berenike or Ptolemy XII 81-80 BCE

Editor: This is a tetradrachm, likely from the time of Ptolemy XII. It's incredible to hold something like this, seeing the portrait and the eagle. How do you interpret this coin as a piece of history? Curator: Well, this coin isn't just currency; it's a powerful statement. Coins were one of the few ways rulers could project their image and authority. The choice of imagery, like the Ptolemaic eagle, was carefully considered to convey power and legitimacy. What do you think that image conveys to the people? Editor: It feels like a very deliberate act of branding. It makes you think about how the image of power changes over time. Thanks for this insight! Curator: Absolutely. Considering the political climate, how Ptolemy XII was perceived, and what messages he wanted to send, the coin becomes a window into a very complex period.