Coin of Laodikeia ad Mare under Elagabalus c. 218 - 222

Editor: This is a coin of Laodikeia ad Mare under Elagabalus, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Its patina hints at a vast history. What strikes you when you examine the coin's visual properties? Curator: The coin's circular form immediately dictates the composition. The effigy, though worn, occupies the central ground, its relief interacting with the play of light and shadow across the surface. Notice the deliberate use of negative space around the figure, creating a sense of monumentality within a confined area. Editor: So, the formal elements contribute to its power, even in its aged state? Curator: Precisely. The circular boundary reinforces the self-contained nature of the image, inviting contemplation on the interplay of form and function. Its eroded texture speaks to its material existence. Editor: Thank you. This gives me a whole new lens through which to consider it.