Tetradrachm of Seleukos VI 95 BCE-94 BCE

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this Tetradrachm of Seleukos VI, a silver coin weighing just over 15 grams. The portrait immediately strikes me as powerful, yet somehow vulnerable. Editor: Curator: Indeed, the profile is exquisitely rendered, with his wild hair and that almost mournful expression. Coins like these were not just currency. They broadcast Seleukos’s image, asserting his authority and legitimacy. Editor: Authority, yes, but it's fascinating how the imagery also hints at a certain cultural memory. The reverse side depicts Zeus Nikephoros, a symbol of victory inherited from Alexander the Great, reminding the viewer of the dynasty's power. Curator: But Seleukos VI had a very short reign and a violent end. The coin seems almost like a desperate attempt to stabilize his image, to root his power in those traditions. Editor: Perhaps. For me, the very act of holding such a coin, feeling its weight, connects us directly to a turbulent period of history. Curator: And to the very human desire to be remembered.