Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Myriandros c. 325

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this silver tetradrachm, a coin made for Alexander the Great in Myriandros. Editor: It feels weighty, not just in terms of grams, but in historical presence. Can't you just feel the imprint of power pressed into it? Curator: The coin’s materiality speaks volumes about trade and empire. Silver was sourced and refined, then stamped with Alexander's image and divine symbols. Editor: And that image! A young Hercules in a lion's skin. Is it just me, or does that coin face seem to say, "I’m more than just a ruler; I’m practically a god?" Curator: These coins normalized Alexander's image across a vast territory, facilitating transactions while subtly asserting his authority. Editor: What a clever little propaganda tool—small enough to carry, yet heavy with meaning! Curator: Indeed. A tangible reminder of how material objects can shape perceptions and power structures. Editor: It really does make you wonder about the hands this coin passed through, doesn't it? A king's decree, distilled into pocket change.