Coin of Cremna under Septimius Severus 193 - 211

Editor: Here we have a coin of Cremna under Septimius Severus housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The weight is about 19 grams. Given its age, the surface is quite worn. What strikes you about the formal qualities of this piece? Curator: The coin presents itself as a compelling study in relief. Consider how the incuse portrait on the obverse dictates the viewer’s interaction. Notice also the marked degradation; the patinated surface reveals not only age but also the material’s inherent vulnerability. Editor: So, its imperfections contribute to its aesthetic value? Curator: Precisely. The wear serves as a visual index of its journey through time. The coin’s circular form, now slightly irregular, further underscores this tension between original design and entropic decay. Editor: Fascinating. It’s about seeing the composition, not just the subject. Curator: Indeed.