Coin of Antiochos I Soter of Syria, Antioch c. 281

Curator: Here we see a coin of Antiochos I Soter of Syria, likely minted in Antioch itself. It’s a small piece, only 2.15 grams. Editor: It feels incredibly weighty despite its size. The patina speaks volumes about the centuries it has survived. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this are not just currency; they’re tools of propaganda. Depicting the ruler's image helped solidify his authority. Editor: Absolutely, and the symbolic power of that image is significant. What stories of power and legacy did they hope to project through this figure? Curator: These coins also facilitated trade and economic activity within the Seleucid empire, connecting disparate populations through a shared monetary system. Editor: So it represents both the tangible and the symbolic – commerce and control, all wrapped up in one small object. Curator: Precisely. It's a fascinating look at the economics and politics of the ancient world. Editor: A tiny artifact that holds huge cultural echoes.