Drachm of Alexander the Great, Kolophon(?) c. 323

Editor: Here we have a Drachm of Alexander the Great, likely from Kolophon, weighing about 4.1 grams. The worn silver gives it a tactile sense of history. What stands out to you about its visual form? Curator: Note the deliberate circular format. The obverse presents a profile, its high relief demonstrating remarkable skill. Consider how the artist captures texture with minimal tooling. The reverse shows an eagle, a formalistic representation of power. Editor: The way you focus on the shapes and how they're made is interesting. I hadn't thought about that! Curator: Indeed. Each element—line, form, texture—contributes to the coin’s aesthetic language. The composition guides the viewer’s eye, creating a narrative within a limited space. Its effectiveness is derived from the symbolic potency of these forms. Editor: Fascinating how much can be said through design. I'll look at coins differently now. Curator: And I appreciate the reminder of how powerfully an object can speak.