Drachm of Alexander the Great, "Kolophon" c. 310

Editor: Here we have a Drachm of Alexander the Great from Kolophon. It's pretty small, but the details of his profile and the seated figure on the reverse are still visible. What strikes you most about this coin? Curator: It's a powerful object, isn’t it? Beyond its monetary value, consider how this coin, minted long after Alexander's death, served as a crucial piece of propaganda. This image of a deified ruler reinforced power structures and imperial ambitions across a vast, multicultural empire. How might such images have shaped perceptions of leadership and authority? Editor: That's fascinating! So, it's not just a coin, it's a carefully crafted message. Curator: Exactly. And by studying the coin’s imagery, distribution, and reception, we can better understand the complex dynamics of power, representation, and cultural exchange in the Hellenistic world. Editor: I never thought of it that way. It really puts the object in a whole new light. Curator: Precisely. It is important to always consider an object's historical context, production, distribution, and reception.