Tetradrachm of Demetrios II c. 129

Curator: Here we have a tetradrachm, a silver coin, of Demetrios II of Syria Nikator, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks so aged, with a somber, metallic grayness that speaks of centuries buried. The shapes seem elegantly simple. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this were instruments of power. Demetrios used his image to project authority but it also gives insight into the socio-political environment of his reign, including the struggles for power and legitimacy. Editor: The coin's design, the profile on one side and the eagle on the other, present striking contrasts in texture and depth, despite its small size. Curator: Precisely, this artifact is more than just currency, it is an enduring statement of identity and sovereignty in a complex historical context. Editor: It's amazing how something so small can encapsulate such grand concepts.