Coin of Dacia under Philip I c. 246

Editor: This is a bronze coin of Dacia under Philip I. The patina gives it a rather somber mood. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Note the formal, rigid depiction of Philip's profile, contrasted with the allegorical figure on the reverse. This juxtaposition speaks to the semiotics of power—the head represents authority, the figure embodies the abstract idea of "Dacia". Consider how the circular form dictates the composition, forcing the images into a contained space. Editor: It's interesting how the shape influences the depiction. It feels almost like the images are fighting against their boundaries. Curator: Precisely. And the wear on the coin further complicates the reading. The erosion acts as a kind of entropy, disrupting the intended clarity of the image. A reminder of time's relentless effect on even the most durable of objects. Editor: Thanks, I didn't realize a coin could be read in such a structural way!