Sestertius of Commodus, Rome c. 185

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Commodus, a Roman coin now housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The texture looks rough, and the color is a deep, earthy brown. What strikes you first about its formal qualities? Curator: The relief, though worn, still presents a compelling contrast against the flat field. Notice the subtle gradations used to render Commodus's profile. The line work is particularly refined. Editor: So, you see value in how the image is rendered despite its age? Curator: Precisely. The coin's condition speaks not only to its age but also to the enduring quality of its design. It is an object that reveals its construction. Editor: I see it now. The form itself is telling its story. Curator: Indeed. The material’s degradation enhances, rather than detracts from, its impact.