Coin of Antiochos I, Syria c. 281

Curator: Before us is a coin of Antiochos I, Syria, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums and weighing a mere 3.19 grams. Editor: It looks humble, worn by time. Both sides are heavily patinated, hinting at stories etched into the metal itself. Curator: Indeed, the coin's material speaks volumes about trade routes and metallurgical practices of the time. It reflects the economic landscape of the Seleucid empire. Editor: And symbolically, this object is fascinating. It seems to depict royal power, doesn't it? The iconography would have communicated very specific messages. Curator: Certainly, consider the labor involved in its production—the mining, smelting, and striking of the coin, each a testament to human skill and the complex social organization required. Editor: It's a potent reminder that even the smallest artifact carries so much cultural weight, literally representing power and belief, bridging eras. Curator: Precisely, from raw resource to symbolic object, this coin encapsulates a whole history. Editor: A lasting impression from something so small.