Follis of Maximian I, Ticinum 296 - 297

Editor: Here we have the Follis of Maximian I, Ticinum. It's a coin, so the artist is Maximianus I Herculius. The overall impression is one of age and wear. What can you tell me about its visual structure? Curator: The circular form dictates the composition. Observe how the incised portrait on one face finds a counterpoint in the figure on the verso. The raised text, while partially degraded, frames both images, creating a visual boundary and a sense of containment. Editor: So the degradation becomes part of the overall experience, too? Curator: Precisely. The surface texture, aged and worn, speaks to the passage of time and its impact on materiality. This very degradation, in fact, heightens our awareness of the coin's physicality and history. The composition is determined by the nature of the coin. Editor: That's a helpful way to think about the formal features of this coin. I'll definitely consider that as I view more artworks. Curator: Indeed. The interplay of form and decay is what commands our attention.