Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Claudius II Gothicus c. 269 - 270

Curator: We’re looking at a Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Claudius II Gothicus, a coin weighing about 9 grams, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The deep brown patina gives it such a weighty, aged feel. There’s something inherently powerful in its compact form. Curator: Absolutely. Claudius's image on the obverse wasn’t just about representation. It was about projecting an image of strength during a turbulent period in the Roman Empire. Editor: The reverse, though worn, still shows clear vertical lines, creating a sense of organized space, even with the faded image. It emphasizes a structured world. Curator: And that structured world relied heavily on exploiting labor and resources from colonized regions, so this coin also represents the economic and social inequalities inherent in the Roman system. Editor: It’s remarkable how much history is captured in such a small object. Curator: Indeed, it's a tangible connection to a complex past.