Identifying Coins by Iconography Flashcards
(9 cards)
How can you identify the Nemausus coins, where are they from, and what do they represent?
Nemausus coins minted in Nim (modern France), crocodile chained to palm tree symbolising the annexation of Egypt. Augustus on right, Agrippa on the left
What coins are often found in devotional contexts?
Halved coins, some people deliberately chose the halves with Augustus on (imperial cult) to devote
What is often added to coinage, and why?
Often stamped with countermarks (e.g. spoked wheel) to extend the date?
What can the portraiture style tell us about the coin?
Realistic coins often Vespasian, idealistic are often Julio-Claudian
What key physical feature on portraiture can help us date coins?
3rd c. often depicted bearded, unless they were in their teens (e.g. Elagabalus, Severus Alexander), Sep. Sev. often very bearded
What is a common stylistic feature of the portraits on coinage?
Unusual coinage depicting emperors from the front
As the coin wears, the emperor loses their nose if it is front facing, rather than from the side
What new feature is added in Late Antiquity, and under which emperor?
Late antiquity - diadem is a new feature, from Constantine the 1st
Which stylistic shift occurs from the 4th c. onwards?
Emperors also lose their individuality from 4th c., difficult to identify, notable exception being Julian (the last pagan emperor 361-363 CE) who has a philosopher beard
Why is there a stylistic shift in the fourth century?
Emperors depicted as a superhuman being, individuality no longer matters. 320s (322/323) last Roman coin refers to a specific victory, from this period it generally referred to a non-specific imperial victory (perhaps just the victory of being an emperor)
