Stater of Rhescuporis III of Bosporos c. 211 - 226

Editor: This is a Stater of Rhescuporis III of Bosporos. There is no specific date listed. What strikes me is the labor involved in creating these dies and striking the coins, and how that labor related to royal power. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The materiality of this coin speaks volumes. Think about the silver itself – where did it come from? Who mined it? And consider the process of minting. The repetition of these coins indicates a system of control, both economic and symbolic. How does the coin's imagery legitimize Rhescuporis III's rule through material means? Editor: So, it's less about the artistic expression, and more about the economics and labor behind it. Curator: Exactly. The coin is a product of complex socio-economic relationships. The artistry is subservient to the power structures at play.