Coin of Seleukos II, Antioch c. 246

Curator: This is a coin of Seleukos II, from Antioch. Just holding it, you feel its age. Editor: Absolutely, it has a weighty presence. The verdigris whispers stories of centuries buried. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this served not just as currency, but as propaganda. They shaped perceptions of power. Editor: It's a carefully crafted piece. We see the ruler’s profile, but what about those beyond the elite? How did they perceive this image of authority? Curator: That's the crucial question. The coin would have circulated widely, yet its message was filtered through diverse social realities. Editor: It reminds us to question the narratives embedded in seemingly simple objects. Power leaves its mark. Curator: And examining that mark is part of the art historical process. Editor: Precisely, and it serves as a potent reminder that no symbol is ever truly neutral.