Antoninianus of Trajan Decius, Rome c. 249 - 251

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus coin of Trajan Decius, a Roman Emperor. It’s small and silver, quite worn with age. The profile of Decius on one side seems quite severe. What do you see in its form? Curator: The coin's circular form, despite its fragmented edges, remains a potent symbol of wholeness and imperial power. Observe the incised portrait: the sharp, linear quality of the emperor's profile. It is an exercise in Roman realism. Editor: It is fascinating how much information they managed to convey on such a small surface. I am impressed with the use of line and form. Curator: Indeed, the economy of line speaks volumes. What have you learned? Editor: I see the value of restraint in artistic expression. Curator: Precisely, and the enduring power of symbolic form.