Drachm of Alexander III, the Great, 'Kolophon' c. 310

Curator: This is a silver drachm made during the reign of Alexander III, found in Kolophon. It weighs just under 4 grams. Editor: It’s incredible how something so small carries so much weight – both literally and figuratively. The wear and tear speak volumes. Curator: Indeed. Notice the profile of Heracles, a figure adopted by Alexander to link himself to divine heroism and strength. It's a conscious manipulation of visual language. Editor: And the process, striking this image into silver—how many hands did this pass through, from the mine to the market? What was the social cost? Curator: It makes you consider the cultural currents it represents: conquest, trade, and the spread of Hellenistic ideals. Each image tells a story. Editor: It is a tangible connection to an era—more than just currency; a unit of labor, a claim of power. Curator: To think of the journey this little piece of silver took... Editor: A potent reminder of the material conditions of history, captured in miniature.