Coin of Perge under Philip II 247 - 249

Curator: This is a coin of Perge, issued under Philip II. It's a tangible piece of history. Editor: It's remarkable how worn and weathered it appears; you can almost feel the passage of time. Curator: Indeed, the very materiality speaks to its journey through history, and consider its function, a tool for exchange and a marker of power. Editor: And how the image functions! The iconography of Philip II on this coin broadcast his image, establishing authority throughout the region. Curator: And the minting process itself involved skilled labor and resource extraction, impacting the economic landscape. Editor: Thinking about the coin's circulation, it wasn't just about trade; it was about solidifying Philip's influence and shaping perceptions of his rule. Curator: Seeing this object, it's really about the power relations embedded in its production, distribution and usage. Editor: Absolutely. It reminds us that art and power have always been entwined.