Follicle Friday: Men’s Hairstyles on Coins

Here's a tea token and an early Chinese style and a Fu Manchu!

 

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YES! I agree. The Chinese are funny people. Friendly mostly.

 

Very entertaining thread @Denis Richard !

The Roman emperor Nero at his best, complete with neck beard:

NERO, AD 54-68
AR Denarius (17.24mm, 3.47g, 7h)
Struck AD 68. Rome mint
Obverse: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P P, laureate head of Nero right
Reverse: Legionary eagle between two standards
References: RIC I 68, RCV 1947
A scarce type. Lightly toned with an excellent portrait.
From the T. R. Hardaker Collection (1942-2019)
"This type, among the last coins struck by the very unmilitary Nero, would seem to be an attempt to curry favor with the Roman legions of the provinces, which were beginning to rebel against his capricious rule. It did not work." - Classical Numismatic Group (lot description)​

Marcus Aurelius with his characteristically curly hair and philosopher's beard, rendered in uncommonly fine style on this particular coin:

MARCUS AURELIUS, AD 161-180
AR Denarius (18.15mm, 3.60g, 6h)
Struck AD 174. Rome mint
Obverse: M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVIII, laureate and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius right
Reverse: IMP VII COS III, Victory seated left, holding patera and palm
References: RIC III 303 var. (bust type), MIR 281-4/35
Toned with an outstanding portrait. An extremely rare variant featuring a cuirassed bust.
This coin illustrated on wildwinds.com​

Nero notwithstanding - nobody rocks the neck beard like Gallienus!

GALLIENUS, AD 253-268
AE Antoninianus (20.20mm, 2.96g, 6h)
Struck AD 267-8. Rome mint
Obverse: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate bust of Gallienus right
Reverse: DIANAE CONS AVG, antelope standing right, XI in exergue
References: RIC V.1 181k, subtype 1; RCV 10200; ERIC II 439
Sharp portrait and reverse with some areas of flatness. Dark patina. An overall attractive specimen.
​

Speaking of impressive beards, here's ZAR President Kruger:

SOUTH AFRICA REPUBLIC
AR 2 ½ Shillings (32.0mm, 14.15g, 12h)
Dated 1896. Pretoria, South Africa mint
Obverse: ZUID AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK, bust of President Johannes Paulus Kruger left
Reverse: Arms of the South Africa Republic; 2½ SHILLINGS * 1896 * above
References: Numista 21288
Mintage: 284,760
Lustrous and attractively toned.​

Napoleon Bonaparte fresh out of the shower, didn't even have time to dry off!

FIRST FRENCH REPUBLIC
Napoleon Bonaparte as Premier Consul, 1799-1804
AR Franc (23.2mm, 4.95g, 6h)
Dated AN 12 (1803). Paris mint, France
Obverse: BONAPARTE PREMIER CONSUL, bare head of Napoleon Bonaparte right, engraver’s signature below
Reverse: RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. around wreath containing 1 FRANC. In two lines; below, date flanked by mintmarks
References: Numista 8243
Mintage: 1,310,638​

 

These guys like their curls combed forward.

 

These two are among the more famous Roman imperial coin rarities.

If the portrait has hair, it's Gordian I, the father



If he's bald, it's Gordian II, the son.



The Roman Senate made these two co-emperors when they trying to depose Maximinus. The son foolish led an ill-equiped force against one of Maximinus' African supporters and got slaughtered. When the father heard about it, he committed suicide. They were emperors for about two weeks.

 

Yes, they are mine.

Gordian III coins are very common because he was very wealthy and could afford to issue a large number of coins. Gordian III was only 13 when he became emperor. The fact that he was wealthy was a big attraction to put him in the top spot.

Given his young age, it is probable that the influential families actually ran the country. Gordian died, probably in battle or perhaps at the hands of his disappointed soldiers after they lost a battle in what is now Iraq.



This is a denarius, which is a little better.