Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Curator: There's a stark beauty to this coin. It's attributed to Mithradates VI Eupator, hailing from Amisos in Pontos. Editor: It feels weighty, not just physically, but in the density of its symbols. The central face surrounded by what looks like stylized sun rays or petals…it radiates power, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. The imagery speaks volumes about Mithradates' ambition. Coins were, after all, potent tools of propaganda. The figure on the other side is, I believe, an idealized rendering of the king as a military leader. Editor: These symbols must have resonated deeply with the people of Pontos. The face, encircled by the sun, hints at divinity, or at least, a ruler blessed by the gods. It's a very deliberate construction of power. Curator: Indeed, and the coin itself is a testament to the economic and political landscape of the time, reflecting Mithradates' efforts to consolidate his power. Editor: It makes you wonder about the hands it passed through, the stories it could tell. This little object is such a powerful window into a distant world.