Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Curator: This is a coin, likely silver, from the Pontos region, commissioned by Mithradates VI Eupator—a king who clearly had a knack for self-promotion. Editor: It's surprisingly evocative! Weathered but powerful. The figures, although tiny, seem to be bursting with ambition. Curator: Absolutely. Think about the labor involved in crafting the die, the value of the metal itself, the political message it conveys about wealth and power. Editor: It makes me wonder about the hands that held it, the transactions it facilitated. Did it ever buy someone’s freedom, or their silence? Curator: Fascinating to consider how such a small object could embody so much history, so much potential for both creation and destruction. Editor: Yes, it's a potent reminder that even the smallest objects can hold immense power and tell endless stories.