Tetradrachm of Alexander III the Great, Macedonia? c. 4th century

Curator: Here we have a silver tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, from Macedonia, held in the Harvard Art Museums. It weighs a mere 16.64 grams. Editor: It's aged so beautifully! The worn texture of the silver gives it such an ethereal, ghostly quality. Curator: Indeed. On one side is a depiction of Heracles, often thought to represent Alexander himself, wearing a lion's skin. The other side shows Zeus seated on a throne, holding an eagle. Editor: That's so interesting. The coin's design and material, the silver, create an immediate connection to antiquity. I feel like I can almost touch history. Curator: And that was precisely its purpose: to embody Alexander's power and legacy. It circulated widely across his vast empire, a portable testament to his rule. Editor: A tangible emblem of power. I love that it's small enough to be held in your hand but big enough to carry so much meaning. It's really quite lovely. Curator: Absolutely. A small object but a powerful expression of culture, myth, and historical ambition. Editor: I am charmed by its humbleness, its silent story of ages gone.