Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Maximianus c. 289 - 290

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm coin from Alexandria under Maximianus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Looking at it, I see a stark reminder of time's passage etched on metal. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It whispers tales of power, doesn’t it? A portrait of Maximianus, a man once holding an empire in his hands, now captured on this small, worn coin. Imagine all the hands it has passed through! Editor: It's incredible to think about its journey through time. Curator: Exactly! Each scratch, each imperfection is a testament to its survival, a tangible link to a distant past. It's less about pristine beauty and more about raw, historical weight, don't you think? Editor: Definitely! Seeing history in such a tactile way really changes how I think about the past. Curator: Absolutely! It invites you to pause and reflect. The past isn’t just stories; it's also tangible evidence.