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

Curator: Here we have a silver coin from Amisos, Pontos, minted under Mithradates VI Eupator. Editor: It looks so worn, but also substantial. The details feel like whispers from a long-gone era. Curator: Absolutely. Mithradates’ reign was marked by constant power struggles against Rome. The coin embodies his attempt to assert authority and establish a distinct cultural identity. Editor: I’m fascinated by the process of minting these coins—the labor involved, the source of the silver, the circulation in the marketplace... it connects us to daily life in that period. Curator: And that portrait – considering the patriarchal structures of the time, how did Mithradates use his image to influence perceptions of leadership and legitimacy? Editor: It's a poignant reminder that even objects of small scale, like this coin, are rich with historical weight and material significance. Curator: It’s a nexus of identity, power, and the very material conditions of its making. Editor: I’ll never look at a coin the same way again.