Tetradrachm of Ptolemy VI c. 180

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm of Ptolemy VI, a silver coin currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The details are incredible, considering its size! What's your take on this coin? Curator: Well, let's consider the labor involved in its creation. The meticulous engraving of the ruler's portrait and the eagle on such a small surface speaks volumes about the skilled labor and the value placed on this currency. What does it tell us about the political and economic power structures? Editor: It shows that the coin was carefully designed to last and carry symbolic meaning for the people using it. Curator: Exactly! The material itself, silver, signifies wealth, and its circulation within society indicates a complex system of exchange and consumption. It's more than just a pretty object. It's a record of how materials and labor shaped their society. Editor: That makes me think differently about everyday objects, even now.