Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 310

Curator: Looking at this worn object, a coin minted by Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse, I’m struck by the weight of its materiality, just 2.67 grams. Editor: It appears quite eroded and humble, yet it’s imbued with power. Think of its circulation, the economies it fueled, the hands it passed through! Curator: Exactly. It’s made of bronze, likely a deliberate choice to assert authority within the constraints of available resources and metalworking technology. How did the bronze workers feel creating something for a tyrant? Editor: We also have to consider the iconography and its reception. The imagery would have shaped public perception of Agathokles and reinforced his political agenda. Coinage became a form of mass communication. Curator: It's interesting how such a small piece reflects complex social and political dynamics. Editor: Indeed; the coin serves as a physical embodiment of that era's power structures.