Dodecanummium of Herakleios, Catana 616 - 623

Editor: This is a Dodecanummium of Herakleios, Catana, by Abd-al-Malik of the Umayyads. The coin's material looks corroded and the imagery appears faded. What do you see in the arrangement of the lines and shapes etched on its surface? Curator: The deliberate placement of symbols on a circular plane offers a structured visual language. Note the stark contrast between the patinated metal and the shallow incisions. The circular form itself suggests wholeness, continuity, and perhaps even authority through its association with coinage. Editor: So, the coin's value isn't just monetary but also symbolic? Curator: Precisely. Consider how the lines and shapes interplay, creating a visual rhythm that aims to convey meaning beyond its face value. Understanding this formal structure is key to unlocking its artistic significance. Editor: I never thought of a coin as something to read in that way. Thanks!