Coin of Crispus, Lugdunum 323 - 324

Editor: This is a Coin of Crispus, from Lugdunum. It seems quite small and worn. What do you see in the material properties and structure that speaks to its history? Curator: The patina, the surface texture, and the incised lines are quite evocative. Consider how the composition on each side creates a dialogue – the portrait versus the symbolic wreath. What do these formal choices suggest about the coin's function? Editor: So, the relationship between the imagery and its purpose is key to understanding its artistic value? Curator: Precisely. The coin's aesthetic is inseparable from its intended use as currency and a symbol of power. It reveals the semiotics of value and authority. Editor: I see, it's all about the interplay of form and function. Thank you. Curator: Indeed, analyzing these elements offers a tangible connection to the past.