Coin of the Koinon of the Macedonians with the head of Alexander the Great issued under Alexander Severus c. 231 - 235

Curator: Here we have a coin of the Koinon of the Macedonians featuring Alexander the Great's head, issued under Alexander Severus. Editor: It looks so worn, like a memory barely clinging to existence. Curator: Precisely. The profile of Alexander, even in this eroded state, attempts to connect Severus Alexander with the legendary Macedonian king, an interesting claim to power. Editor: And the ram horns – quintessential symbol of divinity and power. It transforms Alexander into a godlike figure, further legitimizing the issuer. Curator: The formal composition, the circular form itself, evokes a sense of eternal recurrence, doesn't it? It's a structure meant to convey authority and longevity. Editor: Yes, seeing it in this state – the damage almost underscores the fragility of even the most potent symbols of power. Curator: Indeed, a fascinating juxtaposition. Editor: It leaves me pondering the distance between aspiration and reality.