Coin of the Island of Thera under Lucius Verus c. 2th century

Editor: We're looking at a bronze coin from the island of Thera, dating back to the reign of Lucius Verus. It's currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. The texture looks so worn. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The formal elements are quite compelling. Note the circular composition, the incised figural representation, and the patinated bronze. The objectness of the coin itself underscores its function as a carrier of symbolic and economic value. Editor: So, it's the form and materiality that speak most to you? Curator: Precisely. The decay, the line work, even the coin's weight contribute to its aesthetic impact, transcending its historical context. The circular shape implies endlessness. Editor: I hadn't considered that. It makes me think of time and empire. Curator: An astute observation. Consider how these intrinsic features interact to create meaning.