Coin of Alexander the Great, Macedonia mint c. 336

Editor: Here we have a coin of Alexander the Great from the Macedonia mint. It’s worn and small, yet carries the weight of history. How do you interpret the symbolism embedded within such a seemingly simple object? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's propaganda. The image of Alexander, likely idealized as a young Heracles, projects power and divine right. Consider how this single image, multiplied and distributed, shaped public perception of his rule. Who benefits, and who is excluded from this narrative of greatness? Editor: That's a powerful way to look at it. It's easy to forget the manipulative possibilities when you just look at the artwork as currency. Curator: Exactly. Coins like these solidified Alexander’s persona and legitimized his conquests. Reflect on the narratives we choose to circulate today, and whose faces are on our modern coins. Editor: It’s fascinating to think about how even something as simple as a coin can perpetuate power dynamics. Curator: Indeed. Examining historical artifacts like this coin can reveal much about the social and political contexts of the past, and their echoes in the present.