Coin of Euagoras II, Salamis c. 4th century

Curator: Here we have a "Coin of Euagoras II, Salamis," attributed to Euagoras II. Editor: Its weathered patina gives it such a compelling sense of history; it almost feels alive in my hands. Curator: The coin's materiality speaks volumes; its worn surfaces and the subtle relief of the images invite close examination. Look at the rendering of the deity on one side! Editor: I love how the roughness contrasts with the original intent to create a smooth, authoritative object. It feels rebellious somehow. Curator: Precisely! It represents not only rulership, but also its inevitable entropic decline. Editor: That's a beautiful way to put it—a tiny monument to the fleeting nature of power. Curator: Absolutely, and from a formalist perspective, the decomposition becomes part of its visual language. Editor: I'll never look at small change the same way again.