Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 277 - 278

Curator: We're looking at a Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has an incredible verdigris patina. The material presence is so strong. Curator: Indeed, the coin speaks volumes about the economic and political structure of the Roman Empire under Probus. Minted in Alexandria, it showcases Roman power expressed through local production. Editor: The process of striking these coins, the labor involved, and the base materials used tell a story of resource extraction and wealth distribution. It makes me consider the everyday use of this coin and how it facilitated both local and long-distance trade. Curator: Absolutely. The imagery itself, likely depicting Probus or a related symbol, reinforced imperial authority and communicated Roman values to the diverse population of Alexandria. Editor: There's something compelling about holding a small object that once held such transactional power. It's a tangible link to the labor and the economic systems of the past. Curator: It prompts us to consider the coin's journey – from the hands of the minters to the marketplace, shaping the lives of ordinary people in antiquity. Editor: It is a fascinating record of a society's values embedded in the material culture.