Coin of Mithradates VI, Amastris c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a silver coin of Mithradates VI from Amastris. It's remarkably small, and the images are worn with age. What can you tell us about its place in history? Curator: This coin offers a tangible link to a ruler who challenged Roman power. Mithradates used coinage as propaganda, projecting his image and authority. Consider how the very act of minting coins asserted his sovereignty. Editor: So, it’s not just currency, it’s a statement? Curator: Precisely. Each coin circulated his image and message, shaping public perception and bolstering his political standing against Rome's expanding influence in the region. Editor: It's fascinating how something so small could carry such weight. Curator: Indeed, it reminds us that even everyday objects can be powerful tools in the theatre of political and social control.