Coin of Antiochos VII (Sidetes), Antioch c. 138

Editor: Here we have a coin of Antiochos VII Sidetes, probably made in Antioch. It looks to be made of bronze, and features a horned animal on one side. What do you make of a coin like this existing in a museum? Curator: Coins like this offer insight into ancient economies and political power. Royal imagery, like a ruler's portrait or emblem, legitimized authority. Who controlled the imagery, controlled the narrative. What do you think this says about who was allowed to participate in society? Editor: Well, if the ruler is depicted, then it must speak to their status and importance. Curator: Exactly. And even the act of putting an object like this in a museum changes its meaning, elevating what was once common currency into a valued art object, worth preserving. Editor: It really makes you think about how we value things. Curator: Precisely. A simple coin can reveal complex social structures and power dynamics.