Drachm of Alexander the Great, Lampsakos c. 323

Curator: Here we have a Drachm of Alexander the Great, likely minted in Lampsakos. The artist, of course, is Alexander III himself, although the coin production was likely overseen by his officials. Editor: Wow, it's like holding history in your hand, isn't it? I mean, you can almost feel the weight of empires rising and falling. Curator: Indeed! This piece offers insight into the mechanisms of power, revealing how imagery was mobilized to project authority and solidify rule across vast territories. Editor: It's amazing that something so small could carry so much symbolic weight. Like a tiny, portable billboard screaming, "I'm in charge!" How about you? Do you get a sense of power when you look at it? Curator: I see it as a testament to effective political communication. Its value as a currency was secondary to its propaganda function in shaping perceptions. Editor: Well, I just love thinking about who might have held it, what they might have bought. Curator: Yes, its journey through time is equally fascinating. Editor: Absolutely, it makes me feel part of one big story.