Stater of Alexander the Great, Sidon c. 333

Editor: This is a gold Stater of Alexander the Great, minted in Sidon. The material looks quite valuable. How would you interpret this coin? Curator: Consider the act of minting itself. It transforms raw material into a tool of economic and political power. The gold signifies wealth, but also control over resources and trade routes. Editor: So, it’s not just about the images stamped on the coin? Curator: The images, like Athena, reinforce a narrative of power. But the coin itself, as a standardized object produced en masse, represents a shift in how value is created and exchanged within society. Editor: That’s a different way to look at it. I was focused on the artistry, not the economics. Curator: Exactly! It highlights the interplay between art, labor, and the material world.