Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Commodus c. 184 - 185

Editor: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexandria, made during the reign of Commodus. It looks like a well-worn coin, almost feels like holding a piece of history. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: It's like gazing into a distorted mirror, isn't it? The erosion adds another layer to Commodus' already complicated story. I imagine the hands it passed through, each leaving a trace. Does the weight of it feel like a connection to that past? Editor: Absolutely, but what I find interesting is the idea of it as propaganda... Curator: Propaganda, yes, but also a portrait, a memory, a symbol of power transformed by time. What does Commodus' face whisper to you across the ages? Editor: That's a powerful thought. It makes me consider the many ways the past can speak. Curator: Indeed. And that, perhaps, is the most valuable currency of all.