Hemilitron of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 310

Curator: Let’s consider this Hemilitron of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse. Imagine, a ruler commissioning his own currency—a powerful statement. Editor: Right? My first thought: tiny, weighty, feels like holding a secret. The winged horse on one side looks ready to bolt off into myth. Curator: Indeed. It's significant because it underscores Agathokles’ self-promotion. The Pegasus image, combined with his portrait, subtly links him to divine authority. Editor: Divine authority, huh? Maybe he was compensating for something. The way the metal’s worn, you can almost feel the thumbs that clutched it, fretting over politics and bread prices. Curator: And the political dimensions are key. Coinage, controlled by the state, projected power but also enabled commerce, shaping societal structures. Editor: I can almost hear the clink of it changing hands. It’s like a miniature time capsule. So much history packed into something so small. Curator: A tangible link to the past—currency as narrative. Editor: Exactly, gives you chills, doesn't it?