Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Salamis c. 332

Editor: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great from Salamis. The silver is heavily worn. What strikes me is the stark contrast between the crisp detail on the portrait and the more simplified figure on the reverse. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Note the deliberate use of relief. On one side, the high relief emphasizes the profile, lending it a sculptural quality, while the reverse employs a flatter relief, creating a more graphic image. This dichotomy creates a visual dialogue, doesn't it? Editor: It does! So the artist is purposefully using the medium of the coin to create contrasting effects? Curator: Precisely. The manipulation of relief is key to understanding the aesthetic choices. Editor: I never would have noticed that on my own. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Paying close attention to these formal relationships allows for a deeper engagement with the artifact.