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

Curator: What a striking piece. The Mithradates VI coin, minted in Amisos, now part of modern Turkey, really catches the eye, doesn't it? The ruler was quite the figure in Pontic history. Editor: It does. The wear on the coin makes me think of secrets and stories. I see a ram's head with such intense curling horns on one side, and what appears to be a figure of some sort on the other. Curator: Precisely! That ram's head likely signifies kingship, a symbol used to legitimize power in the Hellenistic world. The other side features a figure—Nike, the goddess of victory, holding a palm branch. Editor: Victory and kingship intertwined... It's a potent combination of symbols, a mini-manifesto of power circulating in pockets and marketplaces. What a statement about Mithradates' ambition! Curator: Indeed. Currency was a powerful propaganda tool. This coin would have reinforced his image throughout the Pontic kingdom and beyond, influencing perceptions of his reign. Editor: It makes you wonder about all those hands this little piece has passed through, and all the hopes and fears it has silently witnessed. Curator: A tangible echo of history, certainly. And quite a testament to the enduring power of symbols and institutions. Editor: Definitely, something that makes me see just how connected our past is to our present.