Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Gallienus c. 268 - 269

Editor: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Gallienus, a coin currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Seeing it here, like this, it feels incredibly weighty with history. What whispers do you hear when you look at this piece? Curator: Ah, whispers indeed! For me, it's the echo of daily life in Roman Egypt. That profile, likely Gallienus himself, staring out across the centuries – what was he like? And then the reverse, perhaps an allegorical figure or a local deity, promising prosperity...or perhaps just good luck. I wonder, who held this coin? What did they buy with it? Editor: It's amazing to consider its journey through time, from someone's pocket to a museum collection. The images, though worn, still speak volumes. Curator: Exactly! It's a portal, isn't it? A tiny metal portal to another world. Next time you find a coin, really look at it, hold it close, imagine the hands it passed through. That’s the real art, I think. Editor: A lovely thought. Thanks for illuminating this piece for me.