Coin (AE4) of Arcadius, Constantinople 388 - 392

Editor: Here we have a coin, an AE4 of Arcadius from Constantinople. It's quite small and worn. I'm curious about how the imagery functions given its limited surface. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the composition. The effigy, though abraded, clearly obeys a strict frontality. This enforces a hieratic quality. Note the incised lines and how they define form. Editor: So, the formal elements create a sense of authority? Curator: Precisely. The emphasis is not on naturalism, but on conveying power through symbolic representation and careful arrangement of line and form. Editor: That makes me think about other non-naturalistic portraits. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. The material object conveys so much about the intended message.