Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 3th century

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm of Alexandria, created under Probus. It’s weighty – over 6 grams! The material looks quite worn. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the labour involved. Striking coins was intensely physical, demanding skilled metalworkers. The material itself, likely bronze or a similar alloy, speaks to trade routes and resource access in Roman Egypt. The wear suggests extensive circulation, its surface a testament to countless transactions. How does the coin's journey affect your understanding of its image? Editor: So its value shifts, from currency to historical marker, based on the material and the labor involved in its making. Thanks, I never thought of it that way.