As of Antoninus Pius c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin referred to as of Antoninus Pius. Its materiality really strikes me, the way the bronze has aged. What do you see in it? Curator: Note the circularity—the bounded form. We see the interplay between the incised text and the effigy, balanced yet distinct. Do you observe the patination, how it articulates the surface? Editor: Yes, the green almost obscures the original design, softening the sharp lines. It adds a layer of abstraction, doesn't it? Curator: Precisely! Consider the relationship between decay and form. The corrosion paradoxically enhances our awareness of the coin's intrinsic structure. Editor: So, it's not just about what's depicted, but how the material itself contributes to the artwork's meaning. Fascinating! Curator: Indeed. The materiality and form are inseparable.