Drachm of Alexander the Great, Uncertain Mainland Greece Mint c. 310

Editor: So this is a Drachm, a silver coin, of Alexander the Great. I am fascinated by how such a small object could be so valuable. What can you tell me about this? Curator: Consider the material of this Drachm, silver. Silver's extraction, distribution, and use in coinage underpinned economic systems and power structures. Who controlled the mines? Who profited from its circulation? Think of this coin as a nexus of labor, trade, and political control. Editor: That's incredible. I never thought of it that way before. Curator: By understanding the material's journey, we grasp the empire's reach. It's not just a portrait; it's a statement of economic dominance and resource control. Editor: I see now. The coin isn't just art, it's a product of its time and place. Thanks for sharing your insights.