Coin of Mithradates VI, Paphlagonia c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a coin of Mithradates VI, a ruler of Pontus in Paphlagonia. The artist of this coin is Mithradates VI Eupator. Editor: The patina on this is striking, the aged bronze speaks volumes about trade and the material realities of ancient economies. Curator: Absolutely. Mithradates used coinage as a tool to project power, embedding himself into the daily lives of his subjects and solidifying his image. Editor: It's interesting to consider how the act of minting this coin—the labor, the source of the metal—reflects the resources Mithradates controlled. Curator: And it's not just about resources, it is the control of imagery. The act of placing his likeness onto a coin was a political statement, intended to legitimize his rule. Editor: Definitely a statement of power. Makes you wonder about the original distribution of these coins. I would love to understand the circulation of this artifact. Curator: Indeed, a tangible object that offers us a look into the strategies and control employed in ancient Pontus. Editor: Such a small thing, but it reveals so much about production and social hierarchies.