Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 280 - 281

Editor: Here we have the Tetradrachm of Alexandria, minted under Probus. The green patina is so striking. What can you tell me about how it was made, and what it meant to the people who used it? Curator: Consider the labor involved in mining, refining the metals, die-making, and striking these coins. Each step speaks to Roman economic and social structures. How does its function as currency influence your perception of it as an art object? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It blurs the lines between art and everyday object, doesn't it? Curator: Precisely. And the wear and tear show its circulation, a tangible connection to its past use. We often separate art from utility, but this object challenges that division. Editor: That's a great point. Looking at it now, I can't help but wonder about all the hands it passed through. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that art isn't just about aesthetics; it's deeply intertwined with production and consumption. Editor: Thanks, I'll never see coins the same way again!