Octobol of Pyrrhos of Epiros c. 278

Curator: Here we have an Octobol of Pyrrhos of Epiros, a silver coin weighing just over five and a half grams. Editor: It’s incredibly weathered, isn't it? The surfaces are worn, almost as if the coin itself has borne witness to centuries of trade and exchange. Curator: Note the relief. One side depicts the idealized head of Pyrrhos himself, adorned with a laurel wreath, while the other shows Athena, helmeted and bearing a shield, a clear display of power and divine favor. Editor: I'm struck by the labor involved. Think of the die-cutters meticulously crafting those minute details. It speaks volumes about the value placed on this currency and the socio-political power it represents. Curator: Precisely. Each element, from the material to the iconography, reveals a carefully constructed message of authority. Editor: The wear and tear almost add another layer of meaning, a testament to its journey through history. Curator: A powerful object, both in its time and now. Editor: Absolutely. The history etched into its very material gives it a unique voice.