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

Curator: This is a coin minted during the reign of Mithradates VI of Pontos, discovered in Amisos. Just over 7 grams, it offers potent insight into the ruler's ambition. Editor: The coin's worn surface gives it a mysterious aura. The images feel both powerful and somehow vulnerable after all this time. Curator: Absolutely. The lion's scalp—a reference to Herakles and royal power—and the Pegasus emblem are carefully chosen to project strength. Editor: Though symbols of leadership, these figures also tie into broader Hellenistic visual traditions, suggesting how even "local" power relies on recognized cultural capital. Curator: Precisely. Coins weren't just currency, they were declarations. The iconography here weaves together Mithradates' self-image with broader ideas of kingship. Editor: It makes you wonder about the people who held this, their own ambitions, and how it felt to possess a piece of such concentrated power in their own hands. Curator: Indeed. This coin is a window into both a ruler’s self-fashioning and a culture’s visual language. Editor: Ultimately, it serves as a tangible reminder of how power manifests itself, and how it’s remembered—or forgotten—over time.