Tetradrachm of Seleucus I c. 312

Curator: Here we have a tetradrachm, a silver coin attributed to Seleucus I. Note the weight: 17.13 grams. Editor: There's such a stark contrast between the regal profile and the figure enthroned on the other side; almost a dialogue about power itself. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the labor involved in the extraction of silver and the minting process itself. This wasn't simply currency; it was a carefully produced object designed to project authority. Editor: And who benefits from that authority? The imagery, the figure's posture, all speak to a carefully constructed narrative, likely reinforcing Seleucus’s legitimacy and perhaps erasing other voices. Curator: Precisely! The standardization of coinage facilitated trade and, by extension, the consolidation of Seleucid control over resources. Editor: So, even a small coin like this reflects broader political dynamics. It’s about trade, but it's also about dominance and the suppression of marginalized communities. Curator: I agree. This coin encapsulates complex relationships of labor, power, and material control. Editor: It's a reminder that even the smallest artifacts can contain multitudes.