Tetradrachm of Syracuse with facing Arethusa by Kimon c. 406

Editor: This is a silver Tetradrachm of Syracuse, designed by Kimon. One side features the nymph Arethusa, the other a chariot pulled by horses. What strikes me is how a coin, such a small object, could carry so much symbolic weight. What do you see in it? Curator: The enduring image of Arethusa, the nymph of Syracuse, holds deep psychological resonance. The facing portrait invites an immediate, almost confrontational gaze. Consider the waves of her hair: they are not just decorative, but a visual echo of her watery origin. Editor: That’s interesting. How does that connect to the chariot on the reverse? Curator: The chariot is not merely a symbol of power, but a potent emblem of victory, intimately linked with the identity of Syracuse. These images reinforce the city’s cultural narrative and its aspirations. Editor: So the coin is more than just currency, it’s a miniature monument? Curator: Precisely. It is a tangible piece of cultural memory. I think that shifts how I view it. Editor: Me too, I’ll never look at a coin the same way again.