Most Ruthless Dictator on a Coin

I was at a coin show over the weekend where a notable world coin dealer and expert had braved the elements at a cancelled show which was held anyway (the hotel was up and running, so the boarse room was open).

A question was asked about who the most brutal or ruthless dictator featured on a coin might be. This is probably a subject requiring considerable knowledge of coins and history. The dealer said probably either Genghis Khan or Stalin. Any other good candidates as an answer? Caligula, Nero?

 

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I know Hitler was on many stamps, but I am trying to remember if he was on any German coins...
I can't think of any...

If Hitler is not on any coins, then my choice of the "most" would be Stalin, hands down.

 

My choice, especially if you want a portrait, would be Stalin or Mao. Ghengis never had his portrait on a coin.

Even for Romans I would not pick the ones you did. Elagabalus was the worst little kid you would ever want to meet. He was much worst than abotu any other emperor.

Bottom line it will go back to politics and world view who is picked. Some would pick George Bush over Stalin.

Chris

 

"Most ruthless dictator."
Really?!?

 

There are no German coins with Hitler on them.
There are some medals and some fantasy coins.

Hitler knew about Roman emperors and their short lifespans.

 

charles I...........luckily for us parliament lopped his head before he did any further damage to our country.

 

Probably should put Baby Doc Duvalier (from Haiti) into the running.

 

I am thinking it must be King Leopold II of Belgium, Also Known as the "butcher of the Congo". He is credited with over 10 million deaths.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_II_of_Belgium

 

There was a man who's rule was so brutal, and so fierce that it's illegal to discuss him in schools (to avoid permanently scarring the children). All coins produced under this dictator contained his portrait. The coins are almost never seen because the dictator still has all of them in his possession.

Below is the only example I know of, it was coined in 1500 B.C.



Emperor Douglas the First.

 

So he wear a dress too? Interesting.

 

It was a war dress, and it was very fashionable at the time.

I'm gonna' go hide now before Doug comes back.

 

Ya know, I looked at the title of this thread, and I thought to myself, "Self, there is a thread that's gonna run off the rails before it even gets started."

 

one problem with the Stalin nomination is that there doesn't seem to be any Russian coins with An Image of Stalin!, plenty of Lenin, but no Stalin, that I could find

 

Czechoslovakia had a coin in 1949 with Stalin on it (100 Korun). From http://firstcoincompany.com/en/catalog/100-korun-stalin-1949.html "The reverse of the coin features a beautiful Czech lion in detailed relief with a Slovak shield on its chest. Stalin is depicted on the obverse of this heavy 100 Korun silver coin. As he was the Premier of the Soviet Union, and the General Secretary of the Communist Party, he had the authority to issue this coin in his name to celebrate his birthday."

 

I never said I did sir, but when I listen to NPR it sure seems to be an opinion of some.

 

Whew!
I thought you might be serious!

Here is my vote:

 

Oh thanks RDW I had just taken a drink of coke when I saw that

 

Adolf Hitler was on all 2 Mark and 5 Mark silver coins during WWII.