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Message:: [QUOTE="John Conduitt, post: 8145214, member: 109923"]This is quite a famous example I've posted a few times (and is in the article). Britannia was first depicted by Hadrian in the 110s and use of her image was resumed by Charles II in the 1670s. She's a lot more assertive in the modern version, with a galea (soldier's helmet, added by George IIII) and a trident (added by George III, although she often previously had a spear). I don't know why the modern Britannia from George IIII onwards is always facing the other way to the ancient one (and Charles II's). Perhaps they switched it around with the portrait (as was done for every monarch after William III) and forgot to switch it back. Antoninus Pius As, 154-155 (left). Rome or Britain. Bronze, 8.6g. Britannia seated left on rock, resting head on hand; arms in background; BRITANNIA - COS IIII; SC in exergue (RIC III, 934).[ATTACH=full]1420336[/ATTACH]George IIII Farthing, 1821 (right). London. Copper, 4.7g. Britannia seated right with lion at her feet, trident in left hand, shield with Union flag and olive branch in right; BRITANNIAR: REX FID: DEF: (KM 677). The obverses are also very similar. British monarchs were keen on the Roman Emperor look (again from Charles II onwards, although Victoria was less keen). Antoninus Pius As, 154-155 (left). Laureate head right; ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII.[ATTACH=full]1420337[/ATTACH]George IIII Farthing, 1821 (right). Laureate head left; GEORGIUS IIII DEI GRATIA. Less well known in England is that one of our modern penny designs also came from earlier times - the first portcullis was on Henry VIII's coins. Elizabeth I 6th coinage halfpenny, 1582-1584 (left). London. Silver, 9mm, 0.24g. Portcullis gate with chains, mintmark A above (S 2581, N 2017).[ATTACH=full]1420338[/ATTACH]Elizabeth II penny, 1984 (right). Llantrisant. Bronze, 20mm, 3.6g. Portcullis gate with chains (S B2).[/QUOTE]

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