Coin of Nero, Amorion c. 60 CE

Editor: Here we have a fascinating artifact: a Coin of Nero from Amorion, issued by L. Ioulios Katon. The patina really emphasizes the relief; what strikes you about its composition? Curator: The bilateral symmetry is compelling. On one face, the profile portrait, tightly framed, projects authority. On the other, the eagle motif, though worn, suggests imperial power. Consider the use of line and form, the incised letters, each carefully placed, adding a layer of textural complexity. Editor: It's interesting how those formal elements convey power and authority. I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Indeed. The very materiality of the coin, its weight and density, serves to reinforce its symbolic value. Editor: I see that now, thanks.