Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, "Amphipolis" c. 336

Editor: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great from Amphipolis. The silver is worn, but you can still make out Alexander's profile on one side and Zeus seated on a throne on the other. What strikes me is how such a small object was so important. How do you interpret its historical significance? Curator: These coins weren't just currency; they were powerful propaganda tools. Consider how widely these coins circulated and the image of Alexander they projected. What effect did mass-produced imagery like this have on perceptions of power and legitimacy in the ancient world? Editor: So, they helped to build Alexander's image and authority across his vast empire? Curator: Precisely! Think about how these images were received and interpreted in different cultural contexts. Were they universally understood, or did their meaning shift depending on the viewer? Editor: That's fascinating, I never considered how much cultural work a tiny coin could do!