Double Shekel of abd'Ashtart III, Sidon c. 342

Curator: Here we have a Double Shekel of abd'Ashtart III, Sidon, crafted by Strato III. Editor: It looks timeworn, yet the imagery of a war galley and chariot is still powerful. I wonder what the material and its markings can tell us about Sidonian culture? Curator: Indeed. Coins like these weren’t just currency; they were symbols. The war galley speaks to Sidon’s maritime power. The chariot? Royal authority, military might. It's propaganda, pure and simple. Editor: Propaganda, yes, but also a glimpse into the cultural anxieties and aspirations of a society. A society that, like many, used symbols to assert its power, both internally and to the outside world. Curator: These images persisted, shaping identity and reinforcing established power structures. Editor: Ultimately, this coin is a testament to the enduring power of symbols to shape our understanding of history and identity.