In this quote from Irma Voth by Miriam Toews, the speaker expresses a desire to see a woman’s face harmoniously integrated into the timeless and worn surface of an ancient coin. This imagery suggests a longing for her presence to be both enduring and deeply rooted in history or tradition, emphasizing a sense of permanence and significance.

The statement also conveys a more intense and complex emotion, as the speaker wishes for her eyes to have a powerful, even painful, effect on him. This combination of admiration and emotional impact reflects a deep, layered connection or longing that is both reverent and emotionally piercing.