Coin of Demetrios I. Poliorketes, Pella c. 294

Curator: Here we have a coin from Pella, crafted by Demetrios I Poliorketes. It weighs only 3.59 grams. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the fact that it feels so ancient, almost primal. The weathered texture speaks volumes. Curator: Indeed. The imagery is quite telling. On one side, you see the monogram of Demetrios, and on the other, a figure thought to be Poseidon, the sea god, a nod to Demetrios's naval victories. Editor: The choice of Poseidon seems deliberate, associating Demetrios with power, dominion, and even a sort of divine mandate to rule. It’s quite effective propaganda for such a small object, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely! Symbols were chosen not merely for decoration but as conveyors of cultural memory, political authority, and lasting impact. Editor: It really does make you consider how symbols can transcend their original purpose. Curator: Indeed. I find myself pondering what this coin might have meant to the people who handled it so long ago.