Cast Coin of Samos under Philip I 

Editor: So, this is a cast coin from Samos under Philip I. It feels like holding a tiny, weighty piece of history. What strikes you about it? Curator: Isn't it wonderful? The way the images are pressed into the metal, like fleeting thoughts made permanent. And it's not just a coin; it's a mini-sculpture, a political statement, a piece of ancient gossip all rolled into one. The verdigris whispers stories of trade routes and power struggles. Editor: So, beyond just the basic imagery, what stories do you think this coin might be trying to tell? Curator: I imagine the weight in someone’s palm, a tangible connection to the empire. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, about the everyday lives intertwined with this little disc of power? What do you think it might have purchased? Editor: That’s a lovely perspective. It’s fascinating to think about its journey and the hands it passed through. Curator: Exactly! It makes you question what traces will we leave behind.