Antoninianus of Probus, Rome 277 - 282

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus of Probus from Rome. It's a fascinating, if degraded, piece of history. What strikes me is the way the metal’s patination almost obscures the original design. What do you see in this work? Curator: Precisely. The degradation, the obscuring, is itself a formal element now. Consider the interplay between the intended design and the unplanned textures created by time and chemical reaction. How does that tension speak to you? Editor: It’s almost like a collaboration between the artist and time itself. It makes me think about the fleeting nature of power. Curator: An interesting observation. The coin's surface is not merely a vehicle for its original design, but has been transformed into a study of texture and form, provoking reflection on concepts like empire, decay, and value. Editor: I never thought of it that way. Thanks!