Sestertius of Maximus c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have a Sestertius of Maximus, created by Maximus Caesar. The coin has a tactile presence; you can see and almost feel the wear from centuries of handling. What aspects of its formal qualities strike you? Curator: The relief of the portrait, though worn, still presents a sharp profile. Note how the incised inscription frames the face, creating a visual hierarchy. The patina, acquired over time, enhances the texture and form. Editor: The arrangement of the figure and the inscription almost seems to trap the portrait. Curator: Indeed. Consider the composition – the tension between the confinement and the implied power of the portrait. How might this tension contribute to our understanding of representation and authority? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It certainly provides a new lens for viewing the coin. Curator: Precisely. Close observation of the formal elements can reveal much about an artwork's intended meaning and its reception over time.