What does the snake represent?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by ColonialCoinsUK, Jan 4, 2021.

  1. ColonialCoinsUK

    ColonialCoinsUK Well-Known Member

    As a collector of world coins and, with a particular interest in the Napoleonic period it is probably no surprise that I have also developed an interest in the numerous medals produced.

    As Napoleon modelled himself after the Roman emperors such symbolism is widespread and below is one such representation* of Napoleon with the Imperial Eagle, thunderbolt and laurel wreath highlighting his status and military prowess. Napoleon's star of destiny is also included (on quite a few medals in various forms) however I have no idea what the snake on the top of the helmet means - hoping you all can shed some light on this - many thanks!

    * I do not have an example of this medal so this is one of the better grade examples I could find.

    Napoleon-Br444-Obv.jpg
     
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  3. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    I found this from mythology.net

    Greeks and Romans
    In Greek and Roman mythology, the snake symbolizes a guardian spirit and was inscribed on many altars. In the temple of Athena in Athens, a snake held in a cage was believed to be the reincarnation of Erichthonius, an early king in ancient Greece. A snake was likewise kept at the shrine of Apollo where it was tended to by a naked virgin. In Greek mythology, Medusa and other gorgons (female creatures) had sharp fangs and live snakes for hair. The association of women and serpents extended to Medea, who was pulled in a chariot led by serpents, as well as the Minoan snake goddess who held a snake in each hand.
     
  4. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    Serpents were symbols of the king because of their power, of time because of their length, and of rebirth or renewal, because of the shedding of their skins. Serpents played a central part in the mysteries of Dionysus in their role as protectors of the vine (by eating mice and other consumers of grapes). Owing to a reputation of never becoming ill, serpents were also symbols of health, as seen on the staff Asklepios.
     
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  5. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    The snake appears in different settings on Greek and Roman coins.
    There are the symbolisms that furryfrog states above, but I am of the impression that the snake represents danger, unless it is tended to by a deity that knows how to handle the snake. Read about Hygiea, Asklepios and Salus here:
    https://www.forumancientcoins.com/moonmoth/reverse_salus.html

    Claudius.jpg

    Take a look at the snake on this coin. The deity is none of the already mentioned, but Pax-Nemesis. This is early in the reign of Claudius, just after his nephew Caligula has been murdered by the Praetorian guard. Read Jochens take on Nemesis here:
    https://www.cointalk.com/threads/some-notes-on-nemesis.333717/

    I’m thinking that the snake represents danger here. The emperor wants to show that he is in control of it, though. Nobody needs to be afraid, not even the snake. Pax-Nemesis is holding a fold in her robe, which is thought to symbolize self-restraint and modesty in victory.
     
  6. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    If I was to interpret the symbols on the helmet of Napoleon, I’m thinking:

    Star: Leader
    Eagle: Conqueror
    Thunderbolt: Power
    Snake: Public safety

    I think that message may have been possible to sell a few years after the reign of terror.
     
  7. H8_modern

    H8_modern Attracted to small round-ish art

    Don’t tread on my head?
     
  8. ColonialCoinsUK

    ColonialCoinsUK Well-Known Member

    Thankyou all for your suggestions, the reverse of this medal represents the Capture of Vienna in 1809 which was a major victory for Napoleon so 'controlling danger' would fit as maybe would 'guardian spirit'.

    There are several thousand Napoleonic medals and as far as I am aware this is the only one with a military context that features a snake like this (others are classical medical representations which have also been suggested - I am familiar with this due to my day job:)).

    Does Austria/Vienna have a specific historical relationship with a snake?? or the Danube?

    More research needed but I now have a few more things to look into - thankyou all.
     
  9. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    A side note here, @ColonialCoinsUK :

    Denmark, 1808 Offermark.jpg

    https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces47938.html

    I don’t know if you are familiar with this issue. These coins were minted with silver that was collected all over Denmark/Norway, to finance a new fleet after the bombing of Copenhagen in 1807. The Danes picked the «wrong» side in the Napoleonic wars, and suffered greatly for it. The British run a sea blockade across the Skagerak, which led to «barkebrødstid» in Norway. «Barkebrød» was bread where a large portion of bark from trees was blended into the dough, because there wasn’t enough flour, and people were starving. The playwright Henrik Ibsen wrote one of his most famous poems, «Terje Vigen» about this. Terje Vigen tried to row across Skagerak in order to get flour and grain to feed his family. He was caught and arrested by the British, and upon returning home after the war, his whole family was dead. (In my time at school we had to learn the first and last verses by heart.)
    So this was a very difficult time for the Danish and Norwegian people. It basically ended with Denmark going bankrupt, and Norway being handed over to Sweden. During this transition, the Norwegians were able to establish a constitution which the Swedish king accepted. This constitution was later used as leverage to establish independency in 1905.
    That’s only one of many important consequences of events around Napoleon. You collect coins from an important time in European history, that’s for sure. But I guess you know that. :)
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2021
  10. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Some other snakes of ancient times include Agathodaemon (representing health, good luck, and wisdom) and the chariot of harvest-god Triptolemus, which is drawn by two snakes. Triptolemus in Greek mythology was associated the the cycle of Demeter.

    nervatet.jpg

    hadtript.jpg
     
  11. ColonialCoinsUK

    ColonialCoinsUK Well-Known Member

    I was not familiar with these coins/history - very interesting. My knowledge starts with Jean Bernadotte, one of Napoleon's Marshall's, who was invited to be King of Sweden in 1810. For various reasons he 'switched sides' in 1813 and finally became King in 1818 of Sweden and Norway as Karl IV. For years I have been trying not to start a collection of his coins as I am not likely to be able to complete the sets I am currently working on let alone add new ones :D
     
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  12. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    A collection of Swedish and Norwegian types from Karl Johan would be a big and expensive affair, so it’s probably a good idea not to collect them. :) The first Swedish king of Norway is easier, here’s a «full set»:

    1 skilling 1816.jpg
    Norge 8 sk 1817.jpg

    Karl XIII is less interesting than Karl XIV, though. I think his Swedish coins may be affordable. His Norwegian coins, however, are not (thank you, big oil). If I was to pick one, I would have chosen the 1/2 speciedaler, minted for the crowning. It’s called «kastepenning» (kaste=throw). I think they were meant for the newly crowned king to throw around to his subjects from his royal carriage :) Is there an English name for that?
    Carl  XIV kastepenning 1818.jpg
    Norwegian date collectors consider this coin to be Swedish. Probably because the full set of dates and mint marks 1819-44 is expensive enough as it is.....

    8530AACA-647B-4463-976A-D20391A1AEFF.jpeg
    Statue of Carl XIV Johan in front of the royal castle, Oslo.

    (Sorry about the modern focus here, everybody.)
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2021
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  13. Spargrodan

    Spargrodan Well-Known Member

    I agree with my fellow Scandinavian that it would probably be very expensive, but smaller denominations of Karl XIV Johan are pretty cheap. Well depending of what you compare it with.
     
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  14. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    Due to the failing Swedish economy, I’m sure their larger coins will become very affordable within a short timeframe too. :)
     
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  15. Spargrodan

    Spargrodan Well-Known Member

    That's pretty bad for me though, everything will be more expensive. :vomit:
     
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