Finally, clasped hands

Been looking for one of these. Received this morning from @Ken Dorney and using his pictures.



Balbinus, 238 AD
Silver Antoninianus, Rome Mint, 22mm, 4.49 grams
Obverse: IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Balbinus right.
Reverse: FIDES MVTVA AVGG, Clasped hands.
RIC11

Edited to correct RIC No, thanks Z

 

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Nice coin

 

Wow, that's a gorgeous example, Pish, congrats! It's actually RIC 11, exactly like mine .


BALBINUS
AR Antoninianus. 5.1g, 24.1mm. Rome mint, AD 238. RIC IV 11. O: IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG, bust of Balbinus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right. R: FIDES MVTVA AVGG, clasped right hands.

 

Thanks Z, I will have to look up the differences.

 

Wowie, Pish! Fabulous coin, congrats.

I tried for a clasped hands recently but lost. I wanted it in particular because of the anatomically impossible depiction of the handshake.

 

I haven't taken it out of the flip yet, too nervous!

 

Impossible how? Most handshake coins (including zumbly's) show less grasp and more sliding straight fingers and thumbs rather than the modern grip style.
I do not have Balbinus or Pupienus.
Herennius Etruscus


Vitellius


What evidence on handshakes do we have other than coins?

 

You're right-- not impossible, just bizarre. The reverse is upside down in the seller's photo. It looks like one hand is in a fist and the other has fingers stretched out, more like one person was punching the other's hand.

https://agoraauctions.com/listing/viewdetail/40303#

 

Great coin @Pishpash, reminds me very much of the two antoniniani I sold a few years back





Q

 

Beautiful coin! Yours is the first Albinus that I've seen.

 

Balbinus!

 

Perhaps one person went in for a first bump and the other went in expecting a handshake, and an awkward moment ensued...

 

Equally excellent! Thanks, @Pishpash . Actually, the same applies—yours is the first Balbinus that I've seen.

 

Hilarious! That used to happen to me all the time so I gave up altogether and give folks a hug instead.

 

Wow! Balbinus...in excellent grade...clasping hands...!!! Congrats, @Pishpash!
I only have, if I am not mistaken, a denarius of Nerva and one of Crispina (or Plautilla) with claping hands. Unfortunately, Balbinus and Pupienus are still far far away from getting my collection ...

 

Nice coin @Pishpash ! Those fist-pumping guys Balbinus and Pupienus.

 

Nice one @Pishpash. Actually excellent!

Here is a Nerva with clasped hands:

 

It's tough to think about some of the coins we've sold over the years. I have regrets over quite a few of them.

Here's a Balbinus Sestertius I sold years ago:

 

Beautiful addition. And a stellar portrait! The clasped hands on Balbs and Pups always give me a chuckle as they were notoriously known to not get along.
Anyway, here's my hunk of a short lived senatorial puppet emperor:

 

Believe it or not. Trajan invented not only the fist bump but the problem that arises when two people meet and greet but have different ideas as to which greeting is appropriate. Justin Lee was right. We have that today on many occasions. The usual ancient hands seem to suggest that they used a 'no squeeze' handshake as seems to be used in some Asian cultures as opposed to the 'firm grip' preferred in some parts of the USA.

A study of ancient hand gestures would seem to be a thesis topic. This would include hand blessings, salutes and curses. Is anyone aware of it having been done?

The other thing this shows is a continuing problem people have telling which way is up on some coins. I have this trouble with some medieval coins. When I see it on a coin I do know, I assume it means the seller rushed the listing to press and saw no reason to proofread the material.