Coin of Antiochos IX Kyzikenos of Syria, Antioch c. 114 - 195

Curator: This coin, minted under Antiochos IX Kyzikenos of Syria, presents two distinct faces of power and value. Editor: It looks remarkably worn. I wonder about the hands it passed through, the marketplaces it facilitated. Curator: Observe how the imagery—likely a royal portrait and inscriptions—functions symbolically. The composition aims to project authority. Editor: Consider the bronze itself. It's not gold or silver. This choice of material speaks to the coin's value and accessibility within a specific economic framework. Curator: The coin's degradation, while obscuring some details, adds a layer of historical depth to its formal design. Editor: Indeed. The wear and tear are a record of circulation, transforming the coin into a tangible artifact of daily life. Curator: A fascinating intersection of abstract authority and concrete material reality. Editor: A small object holding so much history, both intended and unintended.