Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Diocletian c. 286 - 287

Curator: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexandria, minted during the reign of Diocletian. Editor: It looks so incredibly worn, almost like it's been smoothed by time itself; the details are barely perceptible. Curator: Exactly. The corrosion obscures the relief, but one can still discern the emperor’s profile on one side. Coins like these were more than mere currency. Editor: Ah, so it's less about economics and more about imperial projection? Diocletian using his own image to imprint power on the cultural psyche? Curator: Precisely. And consider the eagle on the reverse, a symbol of Roman authority, repeated and reinforced through this medium. Editor: A powerful image, indeed. It speaks volumes about control and the weight of empire. Curator: Indeed; it all reinforces the stability Diocletian sought to project. Editor: Looking at it now, I see less a coin and more a worn symbol of endurance. Curator: A fitting sentiment to conclude.