Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Carinus c. 284 - 285

Curator: The verdigris of time certainly tells its own story on this copper Tetradrachm, doesn't it? Editor: It does. It gives it such a profound sense of history, as if it’s whispering stories from ages past. Let me provide more context. This coin, minted in Alexandria, features the visage of Carinus, a Roman emperor who reigned briefly in the late 3rd century. The materials themselves speak volumes about power and trade in that era. Curator: Absolutely. The choice of copper, the coin's weight of 6.06 grams, all of this reflects economic policy and material accessibility at the time. The very act of striking this coin served to legitimize Carinus's authority across the vast Roman empire. Editor: Precisely. Coins such as these were integral to the mechanisms of Roman power. They weren't merely currency, but potent symbols of imperial reach and control, circulating narratives about the emperor and his reign. Curator: And consider the labor involved – from mining the copper to crafting the die and striking each individual coin. It offers tangible insight into the production processes and material realities of the time. Editor: It's remarkable how a small object can encapsulate such a wealth of historical and material information. Curator: Indeed. This coin serves as an enduring testament to power, labor, and the passage of time.