Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Tarsos c. 333

Curator: Here we have a tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, likely minted in Tarsos. Its 17.2 grams of silver belie the weight of its history. Editor: It's incredible how such a tiny object conveys such a sense of power, even millennia later. The relief is remarkably well-preserved. Curator: Indeed. The obverse displays a forceful depiction of Heracles, though many interpret this as Alexander himself adopting the hero's guise. Notice the depth and complexity of the drapery around the neck. Editor: The reverse shows Zeus seated on a throne, holding an eagle, standard symbols of authority and divine approval in the Greek world. It's a clear message of legitimacy. Curator: Quite. But it's the material itself, the cool, enduring silver, that speaks to its function as both currency and propaganda. The die engraver's mastery is evident in the crisp, clean lines. Editor: It's more than just an economic tool; it’s a portable monument to Alexander’s ambition. Curator: A tangible symbol of an empire built on conquest and maintained through powerful imagery. Editor: Seeing these symbols gives us a palpable connection to the hopes and fears of an era long past.