Coin of Antiochos II Theos of Syria, Sardis c. 261

Curator: Here we see a coin of Antiochos II Theos of Syria, struck in Sardis. What strikes you first about this particular artifact? Editor: Its worn surfaces speak volumes about its age and journey through time. The material itself, likely bronze, seems almost porous. Curator: Indeed. Look closely, and you can see the faint image of Antiochos himself. His divine status is conveyed through this representation. Editor: And on the other side, we have an image of a tripod. I imagine the creation of the die used to strike this coin was laborious work for the craftspeople. Curator: Absolutely, the tripod is a powerful symbol of Apollo, a deity whose cultural significance permeated the Hellenistic world. Editor: Considering the value of the metal and the labor involved, it certainly prompts us to consider economy and material culture. Curator: It connects us to a very specific moment in history, revealing the ambitions of a ruler and the beliefs of his people. Editor: A tangible link to a distant past, reminding us of the human effort embedded in such objects.