Drachm of Alexander the Great, Kolophon(?) c. 323

Curator: This is a Drachm of Alexander the Great, likely from Kolophon, a small but influential silver coin weighing just over 4 grams. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the tactile quality it must have held, passed from hand to hand, empire to empire. Curator: Observe the die work; one side features a detailed profile, perhaps Herakles, while the reverse shows Zeus enthroned, each element carefully considered for its symbolic resonance. Editor: Beyond symbolism, I wonder about the labor involved in its production. Consider the mining, the refining, and the stamping – a tangible link to the ancient economy. Curator: Indeed. The coin's condition invites us to consider its circulation and function within a broader societal context. Editor: A fascinating confluence of art and economic history, forged in the crucible of a world-altering empire. Curator: Precisely, a testament to the enduring power of symbolic currency.