Sestertius? of Philip I c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a sestertius, likely of Philip I, the Arab, from the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking how the verdigris patina almost obscures the original forms. It lends an air of antiquity and mystery. Curator: Indeed. The texture creates a surface tension between the incised portrait and the coin's overall shape. The relief is worn smooth in places, emphasizing the formal elements. Editor: I see echoes of power and imperial authority in the laurel wreath and stern profile—symbols inherited from earlier Roman rulers. Curator: Symbolism aside, it's a fascinating study in form. The circularity of the coin is echoed in the wreath, creating internal compositional rhymes. Editor: The damage to the coin is evocative. It makes me think about who handled it, and what stories it could tell about its journey through history. Curator: An artifact like this allows us to trace the formal language across the Roman empire. Editor: It's a tangible link to the past, revealing layers of meaning through its iconography. Curator: I see a carefully considered formal arrangement. Editor: I see history etched in metal.