Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Philip the Arab c. 249 - 250

Curator: This is a tetradrachm minted in Alexandria during the reign of Philip the Arab. Editor: The overwhelming blue-green patina makes me think of the sea. It's a gorgeous ruin. Curator: Indeed, the toning speaks to its age and history. Coins like this offer a window into the economic and political landscape of Roman Egypt. Editor: Look at how the circular form emphasizes the layering of textures and the slight relief of the figure. It’s a microcosm. Curator: Precisely. Its weight—11.85 grams—also had immediate implications for trade and power. A symbol of Roman authority, portable and reproducible. Editor: And yet, today, its beauty resides in its vulnerability, its eroded surface a testament to time's passage. Curator: A poignant reminder of the interplay between imperial ambition and the relentless forces of history. Editor: An object that now evokes contemplation more than commerce.