Coin of Antiochos III, the Great of Syria, Uncertain Mint c. 223

Editor: This is a coin of Antiochos III, the Great of Syria, of an Uncertain Mint. Looking at it, I’m struck by how the patinated surface obscures the original details. What stands out to you? Curator: The very erosion you mention, its aged materiality, speaks volumes. The coin presents two distinct surfaces: one with a high relief design of what appears to be a bird, juxtaposed with another, nearly effaced plane. This contrast invites questions about value. Editor: Value? How so? Curator: Consider the semiotics of currency. The coin’s value isn't solely monetary; it's also a visual representation of power and the ruler's image. The tension between the remaining symbols and their degradation prompts us to consider the fluctuating nature of power and representation. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. I see more than just an old coin now. Curator: Precisely, its aesthetic power lies in its composition and surface quality.