Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great (reproduction) 

Editor: This coin, a reproduction of a Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, is small but incredibly detailed. Its worn surface hints at a long history. What symbols do you find most striking here? Curator: The figure of Heracles on the coin's obverse, wearing the Nemean lion's skin, is particularly potent. The lion skin isn't just clothing; it represents Heracles' triumph over a fearsome beast, a visual metaphor for strength and victory that Alexander undoubtedly wanted to associate with himself. Do you see how that association might impact his image? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, but it makes sense to link himself to a legendary hero. Curator: The image becomes a potent form of propaganda, a claim to power rooted in myth and cultural memory. A lasting, portable symbol. Editor: It's amazing how much meaning can be packed into such a small object. Curator: Indeed. Coins were not just currency but miniature billboards, shaping perceptions of power across time and cultures.