Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Diocletian c. 286 - 287

Curator: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Diocletian, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Its patinated surface and worn details speak volumes of its journey through history, evoking a sense of antiquity and survival. Curator: Absolutely. Diocletian, the ruler, reshaped the Roman Empire's structure, notably through the Tetrarchy. This coin embodies his efforts to legitimize and disseminate his image throughout his domain. Editor: And the material itself—likely bronze or copper—highlights the empire’s reliance on these resources for both commerce and control. The repetitive striking of these coins was, in essence, a form of mass production. Curator: Indeed. This coin serves as a tiny yet potent symbol, weaving together narratives of power, identity, and the social structures of the time. The portrait on one side, the imagery on the other – they were carefully chosen to communicate specific messages to the populace. Editor: Seeing it in this aged state prompts questions about its circulation, its value, and the hands it passed through. It is a potent relic from the past. Curator: It invites a deeper consideration of the legacies of empire. Editor: Agreed, what an interesting lens into the past.