Coin of Side under Philip II c. 247 - 249

Curator: This is a coin minted under Philip II, specifically in Side, a city in ancient Pamphylia. The coin's current weight is approximately 15.92 grams. Editor: It's incredible how this small object speaks volumes about power. There's an undeniable weight to it, a literal imprint of empire. Curator: Indeed. Coins such as this served a crucial function, not just in economic exchange but also in projecting the authority of the ruler and the state. The portrait, presumably of Philip, is a clear demonstration of that. Editor: I'm also drawn to the figures on the reverse. What stories do they tell, and whose narratives were intentionally excluded from its visual language? Curator: That's a key point. While the imagery reinforced Philip's power, it also subtly communicated specific cultural values and political ideologies. Editor: I see this coin as a potent reminder that even the smallest artifacts can be powerful tools of representation and control. Curator: Absolutely. It prompts us to examine the narratives embedded within seemingly mundane objects.