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

Editor: Here we have a bronze coin of Antiochos IX Kyzikenos. It's a small object, but carries so much weight in terms of information. What strikes you about it? Curator: The coin's materiality speaks volumes. Bronze, a common but durable metal, indicates its intended use for everyday transactions, reflecting the economic life of the Seleucid empire. The wear and tear also hints at its journey through countless hands. Editor: So, you're thinking about the coin's function and its production as a reflection of the time? Curator: Precisely. Considering the labor involved in mining, smelting, and striking the coin, we can appreciate it as a product of a complex system of labor and consumption, embedded in its specific social and political context. Editor: I never thought of it like that, the life cycle of a coin! Curator: Indeed. It transcends being a mere artifact; it's a tangible link to the past, reflecting power, trade, and the daily lives of people.