Tetradrachm of Philip II of Macedonia, Pella c. 359

Curator: I'm really drawn to the quiet dignity etched into this coin. It’s a tetradrachm of Philip II of Macedonia. Can you imagine the stories it could tell? Editor: It's power condensed into a portable form. The coin itself is a statement, a declaration of legitimacy and control. The portrait on one side, likely depicting Zeus, reinforces divine right. Curator: Absolutely. And that rider on horseback—such a classic symbol, don’t you think? It speaks to conquest, but also to mastery, doesn’t it? There is also something about the quality of the metal, the way the light hits it. Editor: It's also a symbol of aristocracy and military prowess in the context of Macedonia's expansionist policies. The standardization of coinage was itself a tool of empire. Curator: What I appreciate most is how it feels weighty in its symbolism, as if it holds some hidden truth. Editor: It's a testament to the enduring power of symbols to shape and maintain social hierarchies.