Coin of Ariobarzanes, Cappadocia 

Editor: Here we have a coin of Ariobarzanes I of Cappadocia. I'm struck by how much information is packed onto such a small object. What can we learn from this coin? Curator: Coins like this offer insight into the ruler's self-presentation and the political messages they wanted to convey. The imagery, from the portrait to the deities depicted, was carefully chosen to legitimize power. How might this coin have functioned within the broader economy and society of Cappadocia? Editor: It's fascinating to think about the image of a ruler being circulated so widely. These little objects played a big role in shaping perceptions of power. Curator: Exactly. They were tools of propaganda and economic control, intertwining art and politics in a very tangible way. Editor: That gives me a new appreciation for something I might have otherwise overlooked. Thanks!