Not all coins want to be lit directly. Some resist, reflecting harshly or flattening the moment light hits the surface. This 4th-century BC silver stater from Larissa, Thessaly, was one of them — a piece with brilliant silver breaks beside deep, oxidized fields that made every highlight a challenge.

In this behind-the-scenes post, I share setup photos, lighting angles, and a closer look at how indirect lighting allowed this ancient coin to speak for itself.