Trachy Type B of Theodore I, Nicaea c. 1205 - 1221

Editor: This is Trachy Type B of Theodore I, Nicaea, a coin currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It’s so small, yet it bears such detailed figures. What strikes you most about its formal qualities? Curator: The concave shape and the die axis are crucial. Note how the curvature affects the light, drawing attention to certain details while obscuring others. The intentionality here is paramount. Does this deformation add or subtract from the geometric composition? Editor: It's almost like the figures are emerging from the metal itself. So would you say its design is successful? Curator: Success is subjective, but the deliberate distortion invites a deeper consideration of the relationship between form and content. Consider the way the incuse relief interacts with the coin's curvature. What does that say about the artist's intent? Editor: I never thought about a coin in terms of form so abstractly. Curator: Exactly. Sometimes, the greatest insights come from looking beyond the obvious.