Stater of Philip II of Macedonia, Pella c. 340

Curator: Oh, my god, it's gold! It’s shouting wealth, privilege… I feel like I should be bowing or something! Editor: Indeed. This is a gold stater of Philip II of Macedonia, a coin struck to legitimize power, project an image of strength, and facilitate trade within his expanding empire. Curator: So, pure propaganda then? I mean, that profile shot is suspiciously flattering. And what’s with the chariot scene on the reverse? Editor: Not just propaganda, but a calculated assertion of dominance. The chariot signifies military might and athletic prowess, virtues linked to leadership in ancient Greece. We must remember this coin's function within a deeply patriarchal society. Curator: Power, wealth, patriarchy... it's all so… shiny. Editor: It is a complex object, reflecting both artistic achievement and the socio-political structures of its time. It prompts us to consider how power manifests in material culture. Curator: Well, I guess that's one way to look at it. It still feels a bit… heavy. Editor: Perhaps, but a necessary weight, reminding us of the legacies we must critically examine.