Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus of Gallienus from the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite small and the green patina suggests its age. What strikes you about the visual qualities of this piece? Curator: The degradation of the coin’s surface is intriguing. Observe how the effaced details force the eye to grapple with the remaining forms. The interplay of incised lines against the smooth, worn areas creates a dynamic tension. Editor: It’s almost like a ruin. So, the value resides in the interaction between what’s there and what's missing? Curator: Precisely. The composition invites us to contemplate the passage of time and the inherent instability of material form. We are left to reconstruct meaning from fragments. Editor: I see it. The coin's structure becomes a metaphor. Thank you. Curator: Indeed, a powerful example of form echoing content.