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 Replies: 20 / Views: 2,705 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Hi everyone. I just got this coin. It's Hadrian..Africa Does anyone know why she's holding a scorpion? What's the story behind that and the basket of fruit on the reverse? Thanks.   |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I wish I knew the story behind the reverse, but alas I'm ignorant. I will look it up tomorrow if someone else hasn't. I just wanted to tell you you have a very nice coin. I don't think I have any "Africa" coins. Hint hint  JW |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1315 Posts |
Thanks, I still don't know much about what I'm doing, but this one seemed to be going rather cheap on ebay so I bid and got it. I was surprised! I'll look for the story too. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
A very nice and interesting coin - I've added one to my 'wanted list'. I love coins like this as they hide so many meanings within the subject mater. I also love medieval art for the same reason.
This denarius commemorates Hadrian's second tour of Africa. Apart from Egypt, Africa was the second largest supplier of grain to Rome and thus of great strategic significance.
I think the basket at her feet (I'm assuming she is Africa personified?) is holding ears of corn, in-line with the above statement, even if it is fruit its still an analogy for plenty.
I'm not sure why she is holding the scorpion aloft? I think she may also be wearing an elephant skin hat!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Africa is personified as 'wild and dangerous' by either a snake, lion or scorpion and 'bountiful', here by both the basket and cornucopia but the big tip off it is Africa is the elephant skin head dress.
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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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Replies: 20 / Views: 2,705 |
Posted 09/14/2011 10:45 pm
