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 Replies: 20 / Views: 2,708 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Thanks Doug. It looks like it could be from a set! Heres Egypt:  How have I never come across these before, they are fantastic! |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1315 Posts |
Well, I thought it may of had something to do with mythology, but never the less I like the imagination of the designer...
"I think I'll just put a big scorpion in her hand, that'll do the trick."
Also... Darn it bobbyhelmet, now I'll have to get one of those too......and maybe more!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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I think I'll just put a big scorpion in her hand, that'll do the trick Haha My 'wanted list' is also +2 now  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
A bit more info - These are from a set called the Hadrian travel series. They commemorate the emperors travels around the empire and show personifications of many places. It features a number of coins but the most interesting (subjective) are prob the following:  Hispania reclining left, holding branch, rabbit at her feet  Ocean reclining left, resting elbow on dolphin and holding anchor  Egypt reclining left, holding sistrum and resting elbow on basket of grain, ibis at her feet  Africa reclining left, wearing elephant-skin headdress and holding scorpion and cornucopia, basket of fruits at her feet  Nilus reclining right, holding reed and cornucopia, hippopotamus before him, crocodile in waves below Edited by bobbyhelmet
09/15/2011 02:42 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Now you've done it! I, like the others, will be hunting down this series of coins. They are nice. BTW, I lied when I said I didn't have any Africa coins. I have one, although she is standing and not reclining. She holds ears of grain to represent the continent as the bread basket of Rome. Its a Sep. Severus RIC 207a:  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Yours is a lot like some of the others in the Hadrian 'travel series' JW. Mainly personifications in the more traditional poses. There is however a few showing the ship Hadrian travelled on and also (I think) some buildings.
Hes also had some very nice Britannia coins, one I'd never seen before with her in a reclined position holding a wheel, cant seem to find the link though! Also not sure if it was from the 'travel series'?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1064 Posts |
These are all such beautiful coins, and kudos for your photos. Makes me want to own some ancients!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Its a great hobby for sure. But, as I've said before, very addictive!  JW |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I came accross this the other day - Its a late 19th century coin from Spain. The style is an unmistakable nod towards the Hispania Travel Coin. It made me wonder how many other countries have modern coins inspired by or are clear descendants of Roman coins. I know the UK still has Britannia but couldn't think of any other examples.  Edited by bobbyhelmet
10/18/2011 08:31 am
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Moderator
 Australia
16872 Posts |
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The style is an unmistakable nod towards the Hispania Travel Coin. Absolutely. One clear and deliberate difference is of course the turreted crown Ms. Hispania is wearing, indicating she's a Republic. Quote:
It made me wonder how many other countries have modern coins inspired by or are clear descendants of Roman coins. I know the UK still has Britannia but couldn't think of any other examples. Many of the coins issued by Italy have clear ancient analogues, either from Roman or Magna Graecian coins. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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Many of the coins issued by Italy have clear ancient analogues, either from Roman or Magna Graecian coins. I'll have to start keeping my eyes open, I always liked the Italian coins, maybe I need to dig them out and see what I can notice. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
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Well, I thought it may of had something to do with mythology Something that's almost ubiquitous in art/iconography prior to the modern/abstract era...seemingly random objects placed in art--including on coins--are intended to be symbolic, to have a distinct, contextual meaning to the viewer. Scorpions often signified death, protectors of the underworld, or readiness to fight. In a more literal sense, N. African scorpions are among the most deadly known; a friend nearly died from a sting in the Tunisian desert. No doubt, many Roman soldiers died from hapless encounters in the desert. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Something that's almost ubiquitous in art/iconography prior to the modern/abstract era...seemingly random objects placed in art--including on coins--are intended to be symbolic, to have a distinct, contextual meaning to the viewer.
Wow, that's heavy, man. Only kidding. It truly is interesting how even the little things have hidden meanings. Hidden in the sense we no longer understand the meaning. Great stuff Want another toke?  JW |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Yeah...it's easy to forget how everything meant something to cultures like the Romans...and their pantheon of gods. Something that makes ancient coins a bit more interesting than modern counterparts. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Something that makes ancient coins a bit more interesting than modern counterparts. Although I would say there is a lot symbolism in modern coins as well. Just not as interesting to me. JW |
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Posted 09/14/2011 11:32 pm
