Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Commodus c. 189 - 190

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Commodus, a coin held at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks pretty worn, but you can still make out details. What can you tell me about the role coins like this played in society? Curator: These coins were more than just currency; they were instruments of power and propaganda. Images of rulers, gods, and symbols reinforced imperial authority and cultural values throughout the empire. Consider Commodus's choice of imagery – what message was he trying to convey? Editor: It’s interesting to think about the symbolism, especially since it's so subtle now, after all this time. It makes you wonder how much the average person understood back then. Curator: Exactly. And how did the production and distribution of these coins shape the economic and political landscape? That is something to consider. Editor: That adds so much depth. I'll never look at a coin the same way again. Curator: Nor will I. Every object tells a story, if we know where to look.