Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a coin, likely silver, from Amisos in Pontos. It depicts Mithradates VI Eupator, a king known for his resistance against the Roman Republic. Editor: Wow, it feels ancient, doesn't it? Like holding a tiny, weathered piece of someone's ambition. All those details crammed onto such a small surface. It almost feels chaotic. Curator: The coin, despite its size, served as propaganda. Mithradates used coinage to project power, associating himself with deities and legendary figures to bolster his image. Editor: You can see that struggle. Trying to make something lasting from something so fleeting as a coin. I imagine all those artisans, heads bent low, trying to capture the essence of a king, knowing empires rise and fall. Curator: Exactly. Coins were vital in antiquity for circulating ideas and solidifying authority. The imagery and messages reinforced political and social hierarchies. Editor: It gives you pause. Every scratch, every imperfection tells a story about who handled it, where it traveled, the hands it exchanged in the marketplace. Makes you wonder about the echoes it carries. Curator: Indeed, it’s a reminder that objects like this coin transcend their material value to become potent symbols. Editor: And that tiny face stared back at me, whispering tales of forgotten empires. So much history imprinted on such a small thing.