Didrachm of Amyntas III of Macedonia c. 393

Editor: Here we have a Didrachm of Amyntas III of Macedonia. It's small, silver, and depicts a regal portrait on one side, and a horse on the other. What stands out to me is its tangible connection to a specific historical moment. What can you tell me about this coin? Curator: This coin offers a glimpse into the material conditions of power. Consider the mining processes that extracted the silver, the labor of the engravers who created the dies, and the systems of trade and taxation that circulated it. The very existence of this coin speaks to the complex economic structures supporting Amyntas III's reign. Editor: So it's not just about the king's image, but about the silver itself? Curator: Precisely. The coin is a material artifact that embodies the social and economic forces at play in ancient Macedonia. What does its weight communicate to you? Editor: I see that it represents the resources and labor mobilized to solidify power. It's amazing to think of the lives this object touched.