Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 281 - 282

Curator: Here we have a tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It looks like it has been through a lot. The coin is dark, almost like the copper alloy has aged. Curator: Indeed. Its condition tells a story of circulation, of economic exchange within a complex Roman Egypt. The imagery is deliberate, showing a portrait of Probus to legitimize his power. Editor: The means of production are interesting, each strike of the die impacting the metal, distributing imagery, and enabling commerce. It's amazing to see value represented in such a tangible way. Curator: These coins facilitated trade, but also disseminated political ideology, reflecting the emperor’s image across vast distances. Editor: I never considered it as a political tool. It is really interesting to think about the life of this object and how it was consumed in that time.