Coin of Demetrios III of Syria, Uncertain Mint 96 BCE-87 BCE

Curator: Here we have a coin from Demetrios III of Syria, from an uncertain mint, weighing just under 4 grams. What strikes you about it? Editor: It feels haunted, like a tiny portal into a lost world, all worn edges and ghostly figures. Curator: Its physical degradation speaks volumes about its journey through time and economic exchange. The wear and tear on the metal tell a story of handling, circulation, and perhaps even conflict. Editor: Imagine the hands it passed through! Each smudge a silent witness to barters, betrayals, and everyday survival. Curator: Exactly! The material’s transformation reflects the social processes it was embedded in. It is more than just currency; it's a tangible artifact of human interaction and labor. Editor: It makes me wonder who Demetrios was and what he hoped this little piece of metal would represent. Curator: It really is a powerful object, isn't it? A humble coin, yet full of stories.