Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Mithradates VI from Amisos. It looks quite worn. How do you interpret the imagery and its composition? Curator: Note how the relief, though aged, presents a deliberate interplay of symbolic forms. Observe the concentrated symmetry in the face encircled by radial elements; this formal arrangement signifies power. Editor: So, you see the symmetry as a key structural element? Curator: Precisely. The deliberate arrangement speaks to an effort to establish authority. What strikes you most about the coin’s materiality? Editor: Its texture is quite interesting, highlighting its age. It's amazing how much information can be gleaned from such a small object. Curator: Indeed, the formal elements combine to communicate a potent message.