Coin of Alexandreia under Commodus-Gallienus c. 2th century

Editor: This is a coin of Alexandreia under Commodus-Gallienus at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels weighty despite its size. What aspects of its composition stand out to you? Curator: The coin's circular form immediately directs our focus inward, towards the imagery and inscription. The patinated surface, while obscuring details, paradoxically highlights the textures resulting from the striking process. Editor: I see. So, the wear itself becomes part of the piece. Curator: Precisely. The material’s degradation informs our understanding. Observe the shallow relief; how does that, combined with the weathering, alter our perception of depth and form? Editor: It flattens it, making it more about shapes than detail. Curator: Indeed. It is a dialogue between intention and chance. The arrangement on each side, even in its degraded state, implies deliberate choices about balance. Editor: It's interesting how much you can glean from such a simple object by purely looking at the forms. Curator: Form precedes interpretation.