Tetradrachm of Antiochos III the Great of Syria c. 223

Editor: Here we have a tetradrachm of Antiochos III the Great of Syria. It's a silver coin and what strikes me is the level of detail they were able to achieve on such a small scale. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the labor and resources involved in minting thousands of these. Silver wasn't just lying around; it had to be mined, processed, and transported. The act of producing and circulating these coins was an exercise of power, reflecting Antiochos' control over trade and resources. Editor: So the coin itself becomes a symbol of material control? Curator: Precisely! It's not just about the image; it's about the silver, the mines, the labor, and the system that made it all possible. The creation of this coin shows a sophisticated system of resource extraction and centralized power. It goes beyond the aesthetic and enters the realm of social and economic history. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about!