Coin of Amisos (Pontus) under C. Caecilius Cornutus 56 BCE

Curator: This object is a coin of Amisos, from Pontus, issued under C. Caecilius Cornutus. What strikes you first about it? Editor: Well, the sheer weight of history, literally pressed into this small, worn piece of metal. You can almost feel the hands that held it. Curator: Coins are fascinating because they’re both currency and symbols. This one, likely bronze, carries imagery tied to the specific reign and place. Editor: Right, the material itself is part of the story. Bronze was readily available, making it practical for everyday transactions, but also a statement about the economic power of Amisos. Curator: Exactly. It represents a tangible link to the past, a little portal to understanding the economics and symbolism of an era. Editor: It’s amazing to consider how much labor and material exchange this little coin facilitated back then. Curator: Indeed. And each symbol acted as a little message in circulation. Editor: Thanks, now I see it from a different perspective. Curator: My pleasure.