Drachm of Alexander the Great, Lampsakos c. 310

Curator: Isn't it extraordinary? This is a Drachm, a silver coin, from Lampsakos, bearing the image of Alexander the Great himself. Editor: The first impression I have is the weight of history that this coin carries—like a tangible echo of power and ambition. The wear and tear whisper stories, don't they? Curator: Absolutely! And it’s so small, yet it represents such a vast empire. On one side, we see Alexander depicted as Herakles. He's claiming that divine lineage, isn't he? Editor: It's more than claiming. It's a calculated act of self-deification, centralizing power through carefully constructed iconography. It's propaganda, really. Curator: Maybe, but it's beautiful propaganda! The detail is incredible. Look at the way his features are rendered. He almost seems wistful. Editor: Wistful power is still power. I’m struck by how something so small could facilitate exploitation and conquest on such a grand scale. The value it represents isn't just monetary. Curator: I suppose you're right. I get lost in the artistry, the almost unbearable weight of such an old thing, but you bring it back to earth. Editor: It’s a complicated legacy, this little coin. Curator: Indeed. A tiny object, representing very large ideas.