Drachm of Alexander the Great, Kolophon(?) c. 323

Curator: This is a Drachm, a silver coin, minted under Alexander the Great, likely in Kolophon. It weighs just over 4 grams. Editor: It’s remarkable how such a small object carries so much weight! The wear on the metal tells a story of circulation and use. Curator: Precisely. The imagery is powerful: on one side, the head of Herakles, a symbol of strength and divine lineage. On the other, Zeus enthroned, representing authority and power. Editor: I wonder about the hands that have held it, the transactions it facilitated, the labor involved in mining and minting the silver. It speaks of global trade. Curator: These symbols cemented Alexander's authority, projecting an image of invincibility. Editor: The very act of minting equates money and power, doesn’t it? Curator: Indeed. Considering its scale, this coin encapsulates an empire’s ambitions. Editor: A fascinating artifact; it connects economic practices and the emperor's symbolism.