Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Maximian c. 289 - 290

Curator: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexandria, minted during the reign of Maximian. Editor: Immediately, the coin gives me a sense of how power, even in the vast Roman Empire, still rested on such small things. Curator: It's incredible how much information they packed onto these tiny surfaces. See how Maximian's profile echoes the classical emperors. He’s literally trying to embody the Roman ideal. Editor: And on the reverse, a figure holds a balance, perhaps a representation of justice? The scales are so ancient and persistent in symbolizing fairness and law. Curator: Absolutely. It speaks to the eternal need for rulers to project legitimacy and order. Even a slightly worn coin tells a story, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed, and invites us to consider the symbolic weight we still place on these images. Curator: A tiny artifact carrying so much meaning! Editor: The past in our hands.