Coin of Edessa under the Emperor Gordian III c. 3th century

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this intriguing bronze coin of Edessa under Emperor Gordian III, weighing 8.7 grams. Editor: It strikes me immediately as a somber artifact. The patina tells tales of centuries, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed. Formally, observe how the obverse features a high-relief portrait, sharply contrasting against the flat field. The composition is meticulously structured. Editor: And that profile, almost ghost-like, evokes the ephemeral nature of power. Do you see the deity on the reverse? Symbols of abundance, I imagine? Curator: Perhaps, though the visual language is dense. The interplay of light and shadow emphasizes the dimensionality of the relief. Editor: A fascinating window into a world of emperors and gods, compressed into a small, weighty token. Curator: A potent encapsulation, wouldn’t you agree?