Coin of Amaseia under Caracalla 207

Editor: We're looking at a copper coin, a Coin of Amaseia under Caracalla, residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The low relief and the wear of time give it a somber quality. What stands out to you in terms of its formal qualities? Curator: Note the effigy of Caracalla, positioned in profile, juxtaposed against the reverse, depicting a standing figure. Consider the incuse nature of the design, pressing the metal to create form. How does this manipulation of material contribute to the overall aesthetic? Editor: It seems like a very direct way to make an impression. Curator: Precisely. The circular form is not merely a support, but an integral element. The coin's intrinsic shape complements the concentric arrangement of its imagery, thus reinforcing the design. What does this reveal? Editor: It shows the coin is as much an object as it is an image. Thanks, I hadn't considered the material aspect so deeply.