Coin of Seleukos I of Syria, Antioch c. 305

Curator: Here we have a coin of Seleukos I, crafted in Antioch. Its worn texture hints at countless exchanges and a life circulating through ancient hands. Editor: The overwhelming darkness of the patina and flattened relief elicit a somber feeling. It speaks to the decay inherent in empire. Curator: The coin's design—a portrait of Seleukos and a depiction of a standing Zeus—are standard iconographies of Hellenistic power. It’s about legitimizing authority. Editor: Exactly. Coinage wasn't just about trade; it was a powerful tool for disseminating political ideology and creating a visual language of control. Who is being excluded from this process? Curator: The incuse design contributes to the coin's structural integrity and wear-resistance. The coin's function as legal tender is intertwined with its artistic choices. Editor: Yet, that “integrity” comes at the cost of rendering marginalized voices invisible. We must question whose narratives this object prioritizes and whose it silences. Curator: Indeed. It’s a reminder of how intertwined artistic form and socio-political power truly are. Editor: Precisely. Studying this coin reveals not just the artistry of an empire, but also its inherent inequalities.