Sestertius of Trebonianus Gallus c. 3th century

Editor: This is a Sestertius of Trebonianus Gallus from the Harvard Art Museums. The worn details and green patina evoke a sense of antiquity. What strikes you about its composition? Curator: Observe how the portrait on the obverse is rendered in high relief, contrasting with the flatter, more symbolic figure on the reverse. Consider how the circular form dictates the arrangement of elements, creating a self-contained world. Editor: So, the design elements complement each other? Curator: Precisely. The coin's value lies not just in its material, but in the deliberate formal relationships established through its design. Each side provides contrasting yet complementary semiotic structures. Editor: I see. Thanks for helping me to appreciate the nuances of its design. Curator: It's in these details that the coin transcends its function and becomes a compelling object of study.