Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 276 - 277

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus, an ancient coin. The verdigris gives it an eerie, antique feeling. What do you see in this piece, particularly regarding its imagery? Curator: The coin's images are powerful symbols of authority and cultural identity. The emperor's profile, the deity on the reverse... each element carries historical weight. Do you notice how the wear and corrosion contribute to the coin's symbolic power? Editor: Yes, it's like the coin is telling a story, with time acting as a co-author! Curator: Precisely! The symbols, eroded yet present, become a testament to cultural memory enduring through material decay. Editor: I never thought about it that way. It's more than just an old coin; it's a vessel of history.