Coin of Tarsus under Herennia Etruscilla c. 249 - 251

Editor: Here we have a coin of Tarsus under Herennia Etruscilla, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s quite small, and the detail is worn with age. What do you see in this piece, focusing on its formal qualities? Curator: The coin's circular form immediately draws the eye, a shape suggesting completeness. Note how the incised lines create texture, yet also obscure the legibility of the coin's design. Do you see the patterns these lines create? Editor: Yes, almost like a web connecting the figure and the inscription. Curator: Precisely. The interplay of line and form, legibility and obscurity—it is this very tension that makes the object so visually engaging. Editor: I see the coin's imperfections as adding to its character and visual interest. Curator: Indeed. The coin is not just an artifact; it's a study in form and texture.