Coin of Seleukeia ad Calycadnum under Gordian III c. 238 - 244

Editor: We're looking at a coin of Seleukeia ad Calycadnum under Gordian III. It's small, worn, but it's amazing to think how old this artifact is. What strikes you most about its composition? Curator: The coin exemplifies the principles of ancient numismatic art. Note the careful arrangement of the portrait and inscription; the way the circular form dictates the composition. The textures, though degraded, still evidence the skill of the die cutter. Editor: So the formal elements are key to its impact? Curator: Precisely. Observe how the artist uses line and relief to convey power and authority, despite the coin’s diminutive scale. The coin is a study in controlled space and symbolic representation. Editor: That’s a great way to look at something I just thought of as old! Curator: Indeed, form dictates function, and meaning, in this enduring object.