Coin of SInope c. 2th century

Editor: So this is a Coin of Sinope, made during the reign of Mithradates VI Eupator, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It is small, worn, and carries a lot of history. What does it mean to you? Curator: It’s a testament to labor and power structures. Consider the mining of the metal, the craftsmanship of the die, and the striking of the coin. It represents a complex network of extraction, production, and control. Editor: Control? Curator: Absolutely! Currency is never neutral. It represents economic control and projects the ruler's image. Consider the resources needed to mint these, and what message Mithradates VI wanted to send. How does that change your view? Editor: I see. It is not just an object, but a record of material exploitation and an assertion of authority. Curator: Precisely. It’s a small object embodying vast social and economic forces.