Tetradrachm of Philetairos of Pergamon c. 269

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm of Philetairos of Pergamon, made by Philetairos. What strikes me is how these images, on something as common as currency, act as symbolic portraits. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's fascinating how power embeds itself in imagery. This coin isn't just money; it's a declaration. Consider the seated figure – what does that posture, that shield, evoke for you? It speaks of authority, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, it does. The figure seems very regal. Curator: And the portrait, too, conveys specific qualities. It's not just a likeness. How does it communicate the identity of the ruler or the state? Editor: It's almost like propaganda in a miniature form. I never thought of coins this way. Curator: Exactly! Currency often becomes a vessel of cultural memory.