As of Philip I 

Editor: This is a coin, "As of Philip I," made by Philip I, the Arab. It looks so worn! What does this little artifact tell us about its time? Curator: Well, consider the politics embedded within such a commonplace object. Who gets to be represented, and how? Coins were tools of propaganda, circulating approved imagery throughout the empire. Editor: Propaganda? Even on something so small? Curator: Absolutely! Think about the message it sends: imperial power, divine right, economic stability. All compressed into a single coin handled by countless people. What does the wear and tear suggest to you? Editor: That its message endured, but maybe also that its value changed over time? Curator: Precisely. The coin's journey reflects the evolving power dynamics and social exchanges. Fascinating, isn't it? Editor: Definitely gives me a new perspective!