Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 279 - 280

Curator: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It weighs just over 7 grams. Editor: The immediate impression is one of age and wear, but even the patinated surface speaks volumes about history and power. Curator: Precisely. Note how the incised portrait of Probus, though somewhat eroded, still maintains a strong profile, juxtaposed against what looks to be an allegorical figure on the reverse. Editor: It's fascinating how such a small object carried the weight of imperial ideology. What symbols did it employ to communicate Probus’s reign? Curator: The reverse imagery would warrant further analysis. I'm interested in the line and composition overall. Editor: Indeed, the visual language embedded on this tiny canvas reveals grand narratives of empire. It makes you wonder about the hands it passed through.