Posthumous stater of Lysimachos, Tomis c. 190

Curator: Isn't it wild to hold history in your hand? Here we have a posthumous stater of Lysimachos from Tomis, crafted in gold. It's a tangible link to an ancient world. Editor: It feels weighty, not just physically at 8.47 grams, but symbolically too. That golden sheen... It speaks of power and legacy, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. Notice the idealized portrait of Alexander the Great, forever young, forever heroic. It's a carefully constructed image, designed to evoke authority. Editor: And on the reverse, we see Athena enthroned, holding Nike. Athena embodies wisdom and strategic warfare, while Nike... well, she's victory personified. Together, they're a formidable duo, a declaration of strength. Curator: What strikes me is the audacity of it all. To claim that divine endorsement, to mint it into currency... It's a bold statement, almost like visual propaganda. Editor: Indeed! This coin isn't just money; it's a carefully curated narrative about power, divinity, and the enduring allure of Alexander's legacy. Curator: Something so small, carrying so much weight. It makes you wonder about all the hands it's passed through and the stories it could tell. Editor: Every detail is a little window into their world. Makes you think about what symbols we're using today.