Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Maximian c. 288 - 289

Editor: This is a tetradrachm from Alexandria under Maximian, made of metal. It looks so worn, you can see the effects of time and handling. What story does its materiality tell? Curator: The wear is part of the story. Consider the labor involved in its creation - the mining, smelting, and striking of the coin. The material itself, cheap bronze rather than silver, hints at the economics of the late Roman Empire. Editor: So, the choice of metal reflects the social context? Curator: Precisely. This wasn't just currency; it was a tool of imperial propaganda circulated in a region reliant on the empire for its economy. What did you learn from this? Editor: Thinking about the material and its production really connects it to the wider Roman world.