Plated Drachm of Alexander the Great c. 334

Curator: Here we have a plated drachm of Alexander the Great. It's incredible to think that such a small object, weighing just over 3 grams, could represent such immense power. Editor: It’s lovely! I feel a strange sense of intimacy, seeing these worn details, like touching history itself. The coin's texture and heft suggest it has been passed from hand to hand. Curator: Absolutely. The imagery, though small, speaks volumes. One side depicts Heracles, often seen as an ancestor of Alexander, while the other shows Zeus enthroned. It's a powerful statement of lineage and authority. Editor: The worn surface almost obscures the details, creating a shimmering effect. It makes me wonder about the countless transactions and stories it has been part of. A tiny object, yet it contains an empire's echoes. Curator: It is a reminder of the tangible ways power was expressed and circulated in the ancient world. To hold this is to touch the same currency used in Alexander's vast domain. Editor: I find it inspiring that the legacy of Alexander lives on, in this tiny fragment, whispering stories of ambition, conquest, and the enduring power of symbols.