While searching around for historical information about people on Roman coins, or while searching for potential additions to my collections, I occasionally come across something that makes me chuckle. (I do not own any of these items) One of my favorites is this medallion of Decentius. There's something about the combination of over-sized head, under-sized body, tiny spear, and Emmy Award looking thing (Victory?) in his left hand that makes me want to stare at this thing all day! I remember happening upon a CoinTalk thread where a member posted their example of one of these, but I don't remember who it was or which thread it was in. And then there is this Licinius II Aureus. If the cockeyed eyeballs weren't enough , then the astoundingly chubby face, squared-off hairdo, and flared-out ears certainly take it over the top! Gotta give them credit for attempting the face-on perspective though, hadn't been done much up to this point. I guess Valentinian III's die engravers didn't feel compelled to fully utilize the space that was available to them! If the neck wasn't so long, then the entire bust would be within the bottom half of the coin. While not a coin, I can't imagine that Licinius I was happy when he saw this bust of himself. I mean, what is he looking at? A fly that had landed on his forehead?! And that mouth! I hope you guys find these examples as amusing as I do. Any of you have examples of ancient coinage that tickled your funny bone?
Well I purchased this ancient coin of Licinius just for this amazing portrait. The fish eye, fish mouth, crazy mustache and beard, etc.. I know its ugly but I really love everything about its uniqueness. Its not just bad - its spectacularly bad - I respect that!
I know... its sooo awful that I see it as art. Its one of my favorite coins. But I'm weird.. . Imagine It's The Emperor for gods sake.. someone carved that dye and didn't expect to die.. bravery!
If you're weird for wanting that coin, then I must be weird as well! I wouldn't even have noticed the hand if you hadn't pointed it out, but now that I see it, it's all that I can see haha. I guessing that a lot of the coins posted here were the die engravers first attempts............. And probably their last! Fired!
Great thread and examples. Now a little different "portrait." Not my coin - image from Roma, e-live 5, lot 2, 09/25/2022, Italo Vecci collection. https://www.romanumismatics.com/catalogue_images/auction/xlarge/12100.42.144_1.jpg Iberia, Arse-Saguntum AR drachm, 195-130 BC, 2.56g, 17mm, 12h O: Laureate male head to right; club over left shoulder, dolphin downwards to right R: Bearded human-faced bull standing to right; ARSKITAR (in Iberian script) above, flower between legs, crescent to right. ACIP 1963 (R5); CNH 17 Couldn't keep from laughing when I first saw this coin! Just the right amount of wear and toning to create such a surprised expression for the man-faced bull's face. Did he just step in something squishy, get tail stepped on, saw his reflection for the first time, have someone try to "milk" him or something else?
