Coin of Ptolemy II, Tyre c. 284

Editor: This is a coin of Ptolemy II from Tyre. Seeing it, I can't help but think about what it was used for and how it circulated. What can you tell us about this coin in terms of its materials and its history? Curator: The material and making are crucial here. Bronze, readily available, signals a practical purpose. Minted under Ptolemy II, likely for local use. The labor involved in creating the die, striking the coins, and the distribution channels – these tell a story of economic activity. Editor: So, more about the economy and less about the art, perhaps? Curator: Exactly. Its value resided less in aesthetic merit and more in its function within a system of exchange and power. Editor: I see. It’s interesting how something so small can represent so much. Curator: Indeed. It redefines what we consider valuable, and who gets to decide on it.