Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 278 - 279

Editor: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus. It's small, a coin, and it looks really old! There's some interesting green discoloration on the surface. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see the layering of power and belief. The coin itself is a symbol of the Roman Empire's reach, but crafted in Alexandria, it also carries echoes of Egyptian traditions. Notice the laurel wreath—a clear signifier of Roman victory and imperial authority. Editor: So, the symbols blend Roman and Egyptian cultures? Curator: Precisely. And the wear and tear, that patina, speak volumes about the passage of time and the coin's journey through history. It reminds us how symbols can endure, evolve, and sometimes, fade. Editor: That's a lot to consider. I never thought a coin could tell such a layered story! Curator: Indeed. It’s a tiny portal to a complex past, a reminder of cultural memory inscribed on a humble object.