Fraction of Alexander the Great, Kos? c. 300

Curator: Here we have a small coin, a "Fraction of Alexander the Great, Kos?" presumably depicting Alexander himself. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn't it? Even from the image. This small object carries the burden of empire, a symbol of power circulating through the ancient world. Curator: Absolutely. The imagery on coinage was carefully chosen to project authority and reinforce the ruler's image. Even the material itself, likely silver, conveyed status. The lion skin headdress is a reference to Hercules and implies a divine origin. Editor: But who benefits from this projection of power? Who is excluded? Coins like these facilitated trade, yes, but also exploitation. It's a stark reminder of how currency becomes a tool of control. Curator: I see it also as a cultural artifact, a tangible connection to a pivotal figure in history, whose image continues to resonate across millennia. Editor: Perhaps. I still think it's crucial to acknowledge how even a simple coin can be implicated in complex systems of power and oppression.