Coin of Mithradates VI, Amastris c. 2th century

Editor: This artifact, a coin of Mithradates VI from Amastris, seems quite weathered. The imagery, though, is still discernable. What aspects of its composition strike you? Curator: The coin presents two distinct visual fields. One, a dense arrangement, perhaps figurative, and another featuring a more linear design with what appears to be a human form. Consider how the incised lines contribute to the overall form. Editor: The contrast between the two sides is intriguing. The lines create a sense of depth, almost sculptural, despite being a flat surface. Curator: Precisely. The interplay of line and form directs our gaze, structuring the image and demanding a focused reading of its symbolic elements. Editor: I see now. The formal properties really guide how we understand its possible meaning and purpose. Curator: Indeed. Through careful visual analysis, we begin to decode the coin's symbolic language.