Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 317

Editor: Here we have a coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse. The low relief and worn surface make me think about the hands that exchanged it, the trades it facilitated. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the materiality. Think about the extraction of the metal, the labor of the minters, and the act of striking the coin. It's not just an image; it's a physical manifestation of power, meant for circulation, for legitimizing Agathokles through everyday exchanges. Editor: So, it's more than just currency; it's propaganda on a mass scale? Curator: Precisely. The coin’s value lies not just in its weight but in its ability to communicate and control. It is the physical embodiment of a social construct. Editor: That shifts my perspective entirely. It's fascinating to consider the coin as a tool of social engineering. Curator: Indeed, and analyzing the coin this way gives us direct insight into the economic and power structures of the time.