Drachm of Demetrios I c. 162

Curator: Looking at this silver Drachm of Demetrios I, made during his reign in Syria, the material’s wear speaks volumes about its history. Editor: It's mesmerizing how such a small object carries the weight of an empire. The portrait feels incredibly intimate, almost melancholic. Curator: The image of Demetrios projects power, certainly, but it's also a deliberate invocation of Alexander the Great through hairstyle and bearing – a potent symbol of continuity. Editor: And think of the labor involved in minting these. Silver, extracted and refined, transformed by artisans into currency—each coin a testament to economic and political systems. Curator: Indeed, the cornucopia on the reverse symbolizes abundance and prosperity, vital for maintaining power. It tells a clear story about the king's ambitions. Editor: Seeing the wear and tear, I wonder about the hands this passed through – soldiers, merchants, everyday people. It's about the materiality of power, isn't it? Curator: Precisely. A symbol of authority, transformed into a tangible object through labor, memory, and exchange. Editor: Exactly – a material witness that has outlived the empire it once represented.