Tetradrachm of Antiochos Epiphanes of Syria, Antioch c. 175

Curator: This is a tetradrachm of Antiochos Epiphanes of Syria. I find it striking how something so small—just 15 grams of silver—could carry so much weight, literally and figuratively. Editor: My first thought? The weight of history pressing down. The details are worn, giving it a ghostly feel. Like holding a forgotten secret. Curator: These coins weren't just currency; they were propaganda. Imagine the impact of seeing Antiochos' face on every transaction, a constant reminder of his power and supposed divinity. Editor: Gods and money—always a potent mix! Do you think people back then felt the same cynicism towards it that we might today, or was there a genuine belief tied to these images? Curator: It's hard to say. Certainly, some saw it as a symbol of stability, others likely resented the imposed image. It’s that tension, that push and pull, that makes these objects so compelling. Editor: Precisely! It's more than just an old coin; it’s a window into a complex society grappling with power and belief. Curator: Absolutely. A pocket-sized drama frozen in silver. Editor: Makes you think about the stories our own currency will tell someday.