Coin of Salamis, Cyprus under Demetrios Poliorketes, King of Macedon c. 4th century

Curator: What catches my eye immediately is the wear and tear; it speaks volumes. Editor: Yes, this is a coin of Salamis, Cyprus, issued under Demetrios Poliorketes, King of Macedon. What stories this small piece could tell! Curator: It feels like holding a whisper of history. I sense a yearning for power, for permanence, contrasted with the fragility of human ambition. Editor: Precisely. Poliorketes, known for his ambition and military prowess, used coinage as a tool of propaganda and legitimization. Examining the iconography, we can discuss the construction of power and identity in the Hellenistic period. Curator: It is so subtle, but I appreciate the way it makes me reflect on bigger things. Editor: Indeed, and to consider how these objects still function in modern power dynamics is crucial. Curator: Absolutely, thank you. Editor: My pleasure.