As of Gordian III 

Editor: This artifact, "As of Gordian III," is a coin weighing around 10 grams, located at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks pretty worn. What strikes you about it? Curator: Notice the texture, how the patinas create an almost topographical map on its surface. Consider the relief—the raised portrait and figures—and how they interact with light and shadow. Editor: So, you're focusing on the formal elements rather than the historical context, then? Curator: Precisely. The coin's materiality—the very feel of the metal and its aged surface—speak volumes about its existence as an object, independent of its initial purpose. How does that perspective shift your understanding? Editor: It makes me think about the artistry in the creation of the coin itself, beyond just its function as currency. I see it now as an object with its own aesthetic presence. Curator: Exactly! It's a testament to the power of form and the enduring beauty of a well-crafted object.