My Valentinian II

In fact, there are many Roman types where the emperor is leading with a standard that has a chi-rho on it, so your interpretation is certainly plausible. But then there's the pagan goddess Victory steering the galley, so...what you get is a mish-mash of paganism and Christianity, typical of 4th-century Roman society.

Want to see an interesting coin where the rejection of paganism in favor of Christianity is clearly but subtly expressed? See this thread.

 

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Wow. I knew I'd like this. That's very interesting who you point out is at the lead of that galley, John. And your first post in the thread you directed me to is reassuring at least I'm not 110% off my nut. It's a fascinating post, and I truly am humbled at it. Shoot me a PM, John, if you do "dig anything up," I'd love to hear it. Thank you, again.

 

You're very welcome Eddie. This is the sort of thing I like about the ancients forum: we love discussions about history and numismatics.

 

Me too, John. I'm the better for dropping in. I got something out of this trip.

 

nothing to add..but welcome to ancients eddie.

 

Thank you, I feel welcome. I don't know John or Bing, and they don't know me, but I know what's important, they didn't let that or my obvious lack of knowledge bother them, but stuck with me on my question. That's a credit to here. That's how my book has it.

 

Welcome Fast Eddie, great coin, hope to see more!!

 

Thank you, Eng. I'm afraid around here, though, I'm more slow than fast; lol.

 

Thanks for the kudos Eddie, but around here everyone is more than willing to help out. Even some of us who have been collecting for a long while find we need help now and then. I've always been treated well here and I think you'll find the same.

 

I do, Bing. And FWIW, I may have been reading a little too much into that "T" as the older "crucifixion cross." While, symbolically, it sounded appealing, by that time, Christianity pretty much had a hold. It was a little late, in other words, to be making the statement they were leaving the comic book strip superheroes behind for Christianity. It had me going, though, I have to say. Now, I think I have reason to question it.

 

I'm quite fond of the variety of religious figures depicted on ancient coins and rapidly lose interest as repetitive Christian iconography predominates towards the middle ages. Learning about ancient religions is fascinating!

 

I think you may have, but it's all right to speculate about the things lost to history. I do all the time.

 

Great bunch of folks over here Eddie........and they all get along, unlike some of the mud slinging polecats who reside on other parts of these boards. I come over here to get reaffirmed with my faith in man (woman too).

 

Amen to that. They're not collecting and appreciating these coins on any silly monkey grading standards. That's the reason.

 

Yes, that's exactly how I feel about it. But I don't say it too loudly or too often because I'm a nice guy, and I don't want to insult any silly monkeys.

 

I witnessed that brouhaha.......

 

who you callin' silly?

 

Come on over to the U.S. Coins Forum and get into the discussions on these silly standards we're being asked to grade coins on. In time, I guarantee it, you're going to be saying this...

"How big a chump can you get to be? I was finding out."
-Robert Mitchum, Out Of The Past (1947)

 

I always enjoy looking at those coins that make me review the more "obscure" emperors:



Knowing the background behind the coins converts these otherwise cold scraps of metal into a palpable and exciting piece of history.


guy

 

Guys, I just saw a great documentary on crucifixions. Did you know these crosses were the symbols of Roman power? Recall how they lined the Appian Way. These meant, "Get with the program, buster, or else!"

They started in Assyria, and were eventually adopted all over the pagan world. I'm thinking that's pretty compelling evidence, these were a reminder of political power, and of what could happen if you cross them (pun unintended). I just don't think they were meaningless abstractions, not when they were this integral to the upkeep of the political system.