Tetradrachm of Lysimachos of Thrace, Lampsakos c. 297

Curator: This is a silver tetradrachm, minted in Lampsakos under Lysimachos of Thrace. Editor: It's striking, even at this scale. The detail in Alexander's hair is remarkable. It makes me think about power, and how it’s projected through imagery. Curator: Absolutely. The coin features a deified Alexander the Great, with the ram's horns of Zeus-Ammon, embodying divinity and kingship. Editor: And on the reverse, Athena Nikephoros, a symbol of victory, reinforces that message of power and control. But who is that victory for? Curator: Coins like these were vital tools for rulers. Lysimachos used them to legitimize his rule, associating himself with Alexander’s legacy. Editor: A legacy built on conquest, though. It prompts us to consider whose stories are amplified and whose are erased through these symbols of authority. Curator: Indeed, it's a reminder of the complex interplay between art, power, and historical narrative. Editor: Precisely. This small coin carries a heavy weight of history, demanding we question the narratives it promotes.