Coin of Mithradates VI, Sinope c. 120 - 163

Curator: This is a coin minted under Mithradates VI Eupator in Sinope. Look closely at the portraits; such objects offer vital insights into how rulers wished to be seen. Editor: There’s something intensely melancholic about this small piece. The patinated bronze, the worn details… it whispers of empires crumbling and forgotten languages. Curator: Absolutely. Mithradates was a figure of immense power, constantly navigating Roman expansion. Coins like this served as propaganda, projecting an image of strength and legitimacy. Editor: And the symbols? What do they tell us about his aspirations and fears? It seems the images are of great importance to the leader. Curator: These images offer visual strategies of self-representation, a leader actively constructing his identity within a complex geopolitical landscape. Editor: I find it striking how such a simple object carries such weight. Curator: Indeed, studying this coin allows us to reflect on the narratives of power and resistance echoed across centuries. Editor: Ultimately, it speaks to the enduring human need to leave a mark.