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

Curator: Here we have a coin of Mithradates VI, from Amisos in Pontos. Mithradates himself served as the artist. Editor: This feels...ancient and powerful. It's small, but holds an incredible sense of gravitas. The designs, though simple, convey so much. Curator: Indeed. The composition is divided into two distinct sides, each possessing its own visual and symbolic language. Note the frontal portrait framed by the elaborate radiating motif. Editor: One side has the portrait surrounded by what looks like petals, while the other shows a standing figure. It's like a mini-universe of symbols pressed onto metal. Curator: Precisely. The coin functions as a signifier, a tangible representation of power and authority, rendered through careful design. Editor: There is something melancholic in this...perhaps, the inevitable decay and corruption. But the artistry remains beautiful, even after all this time. Curator: An intriguing observation. The materiality of the coin, its very substance, invites contemplation. Editor: Contemplation indeed. It's a tiny window into a world so different, yet still so relevant. A remarkable experience.