Tetradrachm of Soter Megas of Parthia c. 100

Curator: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Soter Megas of Parthia, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's quite worn, giving it a tactile quality, almost like a landscape etched in miniature. Curator: Indeed. These coins, likely crafted during the reign of Soter Megas, offer invaluable insights into the political landscape and cultural exchanges of the era, reflecting the ambitions and self-representation of a ruler navigating a complex world. Editor: The profile, though degraded, retains a sense of authority, achieved through the strong lines of the nose and brow. Curator: Absolutely. The visual language employed on these coins, a deliberate articulation of power, intersects with the socio-political narratives of the time, reminding us of the enduring human desire for recognition and legacy. Editor: Its very form as currency shaped economies and lives. It makes you think about the weight of history held in this small object. Curator: Precisely, and the narrative it carries is undeniably profound.