Coin of Ptolemy VIII Euergetes, Cyprus c. 137

Editor: Here we have a coin, minted in Cyprus by Ptolemy VIII Euergetes. It’s small, darkly patinated, and bears an image that feels both regal and worn. What stories do you see etched into its surface? Curator: Oh, the weight of empires in your palm! I see a king attempting immortality through metal, a snapshot of power, now humbled by time. Does the eagle strike you as particularly assertive, or perhaps a tad…overfed? Editor: Overfed, definitely! It feels less like a symbol of power and more like…a grumpy pigeon. Curator: Precisely! That delightful imperfection makes it human, doesn’t it? A reminder that even kings had off days, captured for eternity on a tiny coin. I'll never look at money the same way again. Editor: Me neither. It's kind of comforting.