Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Diocletian c. 284 - 285

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm of Alexandria, made under Diocletian. What strikes me is the almost tactile quality of the corrosion on the surface. What can you tell me about this coin? Curator: Well, consider this object as a product of Roman imperial power. The metal itself, likely copper or bronze, would have been mined, smelted, and then shaped through labor. The imagery, the portrait of Diocletian and the figure with the scales, served a propagandistic function. Who controlled the mint, and therefore this production? Editor: Diocletian, of course! So, the coin isn't just money, it's a statement about power and control of resources. Curator: Exactly. The very act of minting this coin, the labor involved, and its subsequent circulation throughout the empire, speak volumes about the material realities of Roman rule. Editor: I never thought about a coin in terms of labor before. Fascinating! Curator: Seeing art through a material lens opens up new avenues for understanding its function and impact.