Obol of Seleucus I c. 312

Editor: Here we have an Obol of Seleucus I from the Harvard Art Museums. It’s tiny, really, but I’m struck by how much history is held in something so small. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This little coin whispers of grand ambition! Seleucus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, carved out a massive empire. This obol, a pittance even then, was a symbol of his power, travelling far and wide. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, what hands it passed through? Editor: That's a good point! I didn’t consider the legacy of this coin. Curator: Exactly! This object transcends monetary value and speaks volumes about the rise and fall of empires. Editor: Now I see more than just a coin. Thanks!