Overstruck (?) Pseudo Hermaios tetradrachm, Kushan (?) 90 BCE-50 CE

Curator: This is an intriguing artifact, an Overstruck Pseudo Hermaios tetradrachm, likely from the Kushan period. It's a coin, made of metal, and its worn surface speaks volumes. Editor: It appears incredibly tactile. The erosion, rather than detracting, enhances the contrast, almost as if the coin is emerging from the very earth it was buried in. Curator: Indeed, the overstriking itself is a significant detail. It suggests a complex interplay of power and legitimacy. Older symbols are being replaced or co-opted by the new rulers. Editor: So this small object encodes larger political shifts? The wear and tear tell a story of circulation and perhaps even resistance to the dominant narrative it presents. Curator: Precisely. It reminds us that even the smallest of objects can reflect significant historical transitions. Editor: It really invites speculation, doesn't it?