Stater of Alexander III, Macedonia c. 330

Editor: So, this is a Stater of Alexander III, and it’s attributed to Alexander the Great himself. Seeing this tiny golden coin, it's hard to imagine the vast empire he built. What strikes you most about this artifact? Curator: Its whispers of power, really. Think about it – this small object was handled by countless people, financing grand schemes. The image of Alexander, deified, even, fueled the idea of his reign. It's less an object, and more a meme. Editor: A meme? That's an interesting way to look at it. So, its value comes from its influence? Curator: Precisely! It's a tangible symbol of an idea, replicated and spread. And that idea, the power and legacy of Alexander, persists even now, centuries later. Editor: Wow, I hadn't thought of it that way. I'll definitely see this coin differently now.