Stater of Alexander III, "Amphipolis" c. 330

Curator: Here we have a gold stater of Alexander III, from Amphipolis, weighing 8.73 grams. It's remarkable how much history is embedded in such a small object. Editor: It strikes me as austere, almost cold. The gold seems less about beauty and more about power. Curator: Exactly. This coin would have been a tool of empire, a visual representation of Alexander’s authority circulated throughout his vast territories. The imagery, with Athena on one side and Nike on the other, reinforced his military prowess and divine favor. Editor: The choice of depicting Athena wearing a Corinthian helmet, however, feels deliberate. Why not Alexander himself? Is it about aligning him with the wisdom and strategy associated with the goddess, and deflecting the ego and identity? Curator: The figure of Athena is indeed a fascinating projection of power, and the figure of Nike with wings, a symbol of victory, projects both an image of might and suggests the reach of Alexander's influence across diverse cultures. Editor: Seeing it today, I’m reminded that even something as seemingly straightforward as currency can be a complex statement of ideology and cultural control. Curator: Indeed, and that reminds us that our interpretations are always evolving as our understanding of history deepens. Editor: A tiny object carrying monumental implications.