Tetradrachm of Antiochos II, Antioch c. 252

Editor: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Antiochos II, a silver coin made by Antiochos II Theos. It feels weighty, substantial. What can you tell me about the making of this piece? Curator: The minting process itself is crucial. The striking of these coins – consider the labor, the dies, the workshops – speaks to the Seleucid economy and its control mechanisms. The material, silver, also signals wealth and trade routes. Editor: So the coin's material and production reveal the social structure of the time? Curator: Precisely. The artistry is secondary to its function within that system of power and exchange. It’s also interesting to consider the distribution networks. What do you make of that? Editor: It gives me a new appreciation for something I thought was just an old coin. Curator: Indeed, viewing it through a materialist lens reveals its deeper historical significance.