Posthumous stater of Lysimachos of Thrace, Byzantium c. 190

Curator: The first impression I get is one of power, even in miniature. The gold has a real weight, and those figures are rendered with surprising detail. Editor: Indeed. This is a posthumous stater of Lysimachos of Thrace, struck in Byzantium. It weighs just over 8 grams. Coins like these were crucial for trade and political messaging in the ancient world. Curator: I’m particularly interested in the image of Alexander the Great on the obverse. How does placing Alexander on a coin of Lysimachos create a certain political identity? Editor: Lysimachos was one of Alexander’s generals. Minting coins with Alexander’s image helped legitimize his own rule after Alexander's death. It’s all about inherited power and legacy. Curator: It’s fascinating to see how this tiny object carries so much historical and political weight. The coin acts as a cultural artifact and a statement of power, all in one. Editor: Precisely. The circulation of imagery helps to understand the politics of the time. It also speaks volumes about how societies construct narratives. Curator: Examining this coin helps me think about currency today. What and who do we choose to elevate, and why? Editor: And for me, it highlights how durable some forms of political propaganda can be. They last for centuries.