Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Curator: Here we have a silver coin from Amisos in Pontos, issued by Mithradates VI Eupator. Its worn surface evokes a sense of tangible history. Editor: My eyes are drawn to the face surrounded by what looks like a field of dots. A powerful image, evoking fertility and abundance. Curator: Indeed, the field around the ruler's face could be a diadem, symbolizing royal authority. The imagery conveys a sense of power and legitimacy, linking the ruler to divine favor. Editor: It's incredible to consider the labor, the physical act of striking the coin, circulating it through the kingdom. The silver itself would have been mined, smelted, and traded—a complex network of human effort. Curator: Absolutely, and Mithradates VI skillfully used these symbols to craft his image. It's fascinating how such a small object can carry so much cultural and political weight. Editor: I'm left pondering the many hands this coin has passed through, the transactions it facilitated, and the stories it silently witnessed. Curator: A perfect reminder that even the smallest of artifacts can reveal the grand sweep of history.