Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 278 - 279

Curator: We’re looking at a tetradrachm—a coin—of Alexandria under Probus. It weighs 7.25 grams and is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels heavy with history, doesn't it? The wear and tear tell a story of countless transactions, whispers of an empire. Curator: Exactly. The coin itself functions as a medium, reflecting the power and control of the Roman empire through carefully regulated production and circulation. Notice the portrait of Probus on one side. Editor: He looks stern, almost weary. And then the eagle—it dominates the other side, a symbol laden with meaning, freedom, and imperial reach. It’s potent imagery. Curator: It speaks to the ways in which power was projected and consumed in the ancient world. The material of the coin, its weight, and its imagery, all contributed to its value and function. Editor: Seeing this small piece, imagining it passing from hand to hand so long ago, really brings that world to life. It's a tangible echo of history.