Sestertius of Alexander Severus 

Editor: This is a Sestertius, a Roman coin, of Alexander Severus. The material is aged, and the portrait looks almost worn away. What strikes you about the formal qualities of this coin? Curator: I’m interested in the implied volume and the subtle relief. Consider how the artist uses line and plane to suggest depth on such a limited surface. Note too, the deliberate truncation; does this add or detract from the piece's overall aesthetic balance? Editor: I hadn't thought about the truncation. It certainly changes how I perceive the overall form! Curator: Indeed. The break disrupts the otherwise perfect circle, drawing our attention to the materiality and its history. It's a powerful disruption. Editor: I see it now. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about form and fragmentation allows us a more nuanced reading.