Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 278 - 279

Curator: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexandria, crafted under Probus, weighing approximately 8.11 grams. Editor: What strikes me first is the patina; that verdigris tells such a story of time and use. It almost has a spectral quality to it. Curator: Indeed. Notice the composition: the obverse features a bust of Probus in profile, surrounded by lettering. The reverse shows allegorical figures standing. The die work is quite striking. Editor: Absolutely. The figures represent a specific imperial ideology. The standing figures, with their attributes, evoke themes of abundance and imperial power, reflecting the emperor’s aspirations and the needs of the populace. Curator: An astute observation. The arrangement of forms on the surface demonstrates a considered approach to balance, typical of coinage of this era. Editor: It's amazing how much meaning they packed onto such a small object. Symbols, power, daily use all coalesce into something enduring. Curator: Precisely. A testament to design and symbolic power. Editor: A pocket-sized portal to another world, I suppose.