Coin of Demetrios II, Seleukeia c. 146

Curator: This is a coin of Demetrios II from Seleukeia, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's incredibly weathered. The patina evokes a sense of history and tangible connection to the ancient world, even though the images themselves are difficult to discern. Curator: The decomposition of the metal impacts readability, but one side features the profile of Demetrios. Editor: And the other? I see figures... but what power dynamics or social hierarchies are represented here? Is this a depiction of governance, or is it related to religious symbolism? Curator: More likely, the reverse shows Tyche, a personification of the city's fortune, flanked by two other figures. The composition is fairly standard for Hellenistic coinage. Editor: Standard, perhaps, but within a complex political landscape where power and privilege were carefully curated and displayed. A fascinating artifact. Curator: Indeed, the subtleties of its form offer much to consider. Editor: It certainly gives insight into the lives of those under his rule.