Didrachm of Amyntas III of Macedonia c. 393

Editor: Here we have the Didrachm of Amyntas III of Macedonia. It's a coin, so quite small, and the silver is heavily worn. What do you see in the relationship between the two faces of the coin? Curator: Formally, the obverse presents a powerful male visage, juxtaposed with the reverse, where a horse stands rigidly. The textures, achieved through striking, create a stark contrast between idealized ruler and animalistic vitality. Editor: The horse does seem less detailed than the face. Why is that? Curator: Consider the formal composition; the ruler's profile occupies nearly the entire surface area, suggesting dominance. The horse, while present, is rendered with less intricacy, perhaps indicating a secondary, yet vital, resource. Editor: I hadn't noticed how the size difference contributes to a hierarchy. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: A close reading of the visual elements always provides insight.