Coin of Antiochos IV Epiphanes of Syria c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Antiochos IV Epiphanes of Syria. It's wonderfully weathered, isn't it? I feel like it whispers tales of ancient marketplaces. What stories do you see etched into this little bronze disc? Curator: It's true, isn't it, that objects carry secrets! This coin offers a glimpse into a king's ego; a ruler literally stamping his authority. Do you think its value lay in the metal, or in the message? Editor: I suppose it was the message, or the promise of stability that the message conveyed! What does this tell us about the function of art? Curator: Perhaps art is always about establishing power, or subverting it. Even something as small as a coin can be a battleground for ideas, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely! It's incredible how such a tiny thing can hold so much weight, both literally and figuratively. Curator: Exactly, and isn’t that the magic of museums, to see worlds in grains of sand?