Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 295

Curator: At first glance, this artifact seems so small, almost unassuming. Editor: Indeed, it is a bronze coin, approximately 8 grams in weight, minted under Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse. Its condition speaks volumes about its journey through time. Curator: You're right, its materiality is potent. Think about the labor involved in mining, smelting, and die-striking the coin. It's a tangible link to the economic and social structures of ancient Syracuse. Editor: Absolutely. These coins, beyond their economic function, served as powerful propaganda tools. Agathokles, despite his contested rule, aimed to project authority and legitimacy through these widely circulated images. Curator: It is quite humbling to see such a small object with a huge impact. Editor: It certainly invites us to reconsider the scope of material culture and political messaging in the ancient world.