Hemidrachm of Alexander I Balas c. 150

Editor: This is a Hemidrachm coin by Alexander I Balas. The wear on the metal gives it a sort of aged and mysterious quality. What do you notice about it? Curator: Observe the incuse relief. The artistry in rendering the king's diadem and the figure is evident, despite the coin's diminutive scale and material limitations. Note the linear precision and the subtle curvature defining the facial features. Editor: So the lines and shapes are what tell the story here? Curator: Precisely. The composition guides our perception and informs our understanding of the numismatic object. Editor: I see. I hadn't considered the effect of the shape itself. Curator: A closer examination of form deepens appreciation.