Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Amphipolis c. 336

Editor: Here we have a silver Tetradrachm, likely from Amphipolis, bearing the image of Alexander the Great. It’s incredible to consider the journey this coin has taken through history. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the material, silver: sourced, mined, transported, and refined, all shaping Alexander’s image for circulation and legitimization. How does mass production alter our understanding of artistry versus mere manufacture of propaganda? Editor: So, it's less about the artistic skill and more about the socio-economic implications of its creation? Curator: Precisely. The coin's value stems not just from the silver itself, but from the systems of labor and control that enabled its production. It shifts focus from the romanticized hero to the material realities underpinning his power. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn't considered before. I'll definitely look at coins differently now. Curator: Good. Always look at the means of production.