Tetradrachm of Antiochos IX Kyzikenos of Syria c. 110

Curator: Here we have a tetradrachm, a silver coin, of Antiochos IX Kyzikenos of Syria. Editor: There's a stark beauty here, a weight and coolness that transcends time. The coin feels almost ghostly. Curator: Coins like these were not just currency; they were propaganda tools, circulating images and messages of power throughout the kingdom. The portrait of Antiochos IX is a carefully crafted representation of his authority. Editor: It's eerie how much a face, pressed into metal, can still speak of ambition, of a life lived in power and possibly, turmoil. I wonder what stories this coin could tell if it could talk. Curator: Indeed! As historical artifacts, coins can tell us a lot about a ruler's agenda, the economy, and trade routes of the time. They were integral to establishing legitimacy. Editor: It's amazing to think that something so small held so much political and symbolic weight. It makes you wonder about the power everyday objects hold, even now.