Drachm of Alexander the Great, Lampsakos c. 328

Curator: Let's examine this Drachm of Alexander the Great, minted in Lampsakos. Editor: It's so tiny and worn, yet I feel the weight of history just looking at it. Incredible. Curator: Indeed. Coins served not only as currency, but also as potent symbols of power and propaganda. The portrait of Alexander is itself an emblem. Editor: That stern profile, though! It looks almost godlike with that wild hair and the hint of a diadem. Talk about branding. Curator: The image on the reverse, a seated Zeus holding an eagle, reinforces the ruler’s divine connections and legitimacy. Editor: It’s like a snapshot—or rather, a coinsnap—of an era, miniaturized for posterity. A tangible link to Alexander's ambition. Curator: This little coin really encapsulates the visual language of empire. Editor: Absolutely. I will remember that the next time I find some spare change.