Coin of Seleucia Pieria under Seleucus I

Editor: Here we have a coin of Seleucia Pieria under Seleucus I. The copper material and worn details give it a tangible sense of history. What strikes you about it? Curator: I am drawn to the means of production. Consider the labor involved in extracting the copper, refining it, and then meticulously die-striking the coin. The coin’s materiality speaks volumes about the Seleucid economy and social structure. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the full production process. Curator: Indeed. This wasn't just currency; it was a symbol of power, crafted through a complex network of labor and resources. Editor: I see it now. It makes me think about the resources and power that produced this object. Curator: Precisely. It transforms our understanding of this coin.