I had seen this type on another forum, and I fell in love with it. I have a fascination for creepy coins or coins with dark imagery, connotations, or history. This coin fit the bill.
This coin was struck in 48 BC, a few years after the Gallic Wars of 58-51 BC, by Lucius Hostilius Saserna. There are some bankers' marks on the obverse which not only give this coin character, but gives the obverse figure that much more of a disparaging look. This particular obverse die is my favorite for this type as the obverse figure has the most pained expression. In addition, it is struck perfectly center with almost no loss of detail. The price was about half of the going rate (according to CNG results, even with bankers' marks), so I went for it. The more I research this coin, the more I love it!
The obverse figure has not been definitively identified. Some speculate that she is a representation of Gallia (Transalpine Gaul, or modern-day Spain), made to represent Julius Caesar's conquest of the area during the Gallic War. This belief is further bolstered by the presence of a Gallic war trumpet behind the head.
Another proposition is that the figure is a representation on Pallor, the goddess of fear and paleness. The complexion on the faces of all of this type (not just this die) lend plausibility to this theory. There was another god, Pavor, who represented consternation, panic, and dread. Interestingly, Hostilius also struck a coin with a male head that is just as disssheveled. He later erected temples for Pallor and Pavor, the god of consternation, dread, and panic. This shows a devotion to these two gods, and it seems likely that he would portray them on his coins.
The last, and most recent (relatively; it was proposed ca 1900), theory is that Gallia is represented by Pallor, perhaps to show the fear of conquest. Any of these three are possible, but we unfortunately cannot ask the die cutter to elaborate further.
The reverse is a depiction of Artemis, the god of the hunt, with a deer to the left (her right). This particular portrayal is quite unnerving, and it reminds me of several characters from Tim Burton's stop-motion films.
Posted 01/08/2017 10:45 pm
