Looking Back

Here’s a selection of different Leo lion type coins from my collection. I’m not sure why but the lion crouching left variety is always a cartoonish characterization of a lion while the others are more realistic. By far the toughest to find are the ones with the lion facing right.


One of the things I’ve noticed in animal portrayals on ancient coins (both Greek and Roman) is that many times they are shown “looking back”. I’ve always wondered if there is some reasoning for doing this. Anybody have any ideas?

Please post any other ancients with animals in this “looking back” posture.

 

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I suspect the "looking back" pose was used to make the animal fit better on a round coin, allowing more of the animal's body to be on the coin without a lot of wasted space.

 

Leo I
Coin: Bronze AE4
DN LEO PF AFG - Pearled diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
- Lion crouching left, head turned right, within wreath
Mint: Constantinople (457-474 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 1.43g / 11mm / -
References:

• RIC 674

Carthage, Zeugitana
Coin: Bronze Shekel
None - Wreathed head of Tanit left
None - Horse standing right, looking left
Mint: Carthage (215-201 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 7.07g / 22mm / -
Rarity: Scarce
Acquisition/Sale: $0.00
Notes: Dec 4, 13 - Ref: SNG Copenhagen 309-13
CARTHAGE, SECOND PUNIC WAR

 

I actually had this exact thought as I was writing the post but I've also seen larger coins with the same pose. Maybe that's all it is.

 

Yah, I usually hate lookin' back ... but these few examples make me smile


Ummm, anybody got any good stories?

 

A great collection of Leo lion nummi Brian!

Hopefully you'll recognize this one. Its the first coin I ever bought from you. I still have it.

 

Stevex6: All nice pieces. Very impressive. The VRBS ROMA type with the wolf looking back makes sense as he's obviously observing the twins. But as to the coin with the eagle looking back (and there are quite a few examples of these), you could certainly fit the design either way.

VK: I certainly remember that coin. A good example.

 

@Brian Bucklan, I just noticed your signature line. I love your webstore!! Not sure if I've ever followed through on a purchase but I've browsed it many times. One of these days I'll get something from you-- probably something from Roman Egypt or other Roman Provincial

 

ummm okay, how 'bout I replace it with this photo? ... judger





just jokes (good times)

 

Thrace, Chersonesos
Coin: good VF Silver Hemidrachm
None - Forepart of lion right, head left
None - Quadripartite incuse square with alternating raised and sunken quarters; pellet and AΓ monogram in one sunken quarter, star in the other.
Mint: Chersonesos (Circa 386-338 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 2.41g / 13.5mm / -
References:

• McClean 4089–94 var. (symbol)
• SNG Copenhagen 840 var. (letter).
• Weber 2430

 

The reverse of this coin under Macrinus was struck in Laodicea. BMC 97.

 

Super posts!!!

My only 'animal' looking back type---Carthage:

 

I believe this bronze of Elagabalus is a fine example of looking-back animals. It has a ram on the reverse. The coin was struck in Antioch. BMC 446. SC.

 

Nice collection, Brian.

I just have the below.

Leo I (457 - 474 A.D.)
20 views
Æ4
O: D N LEO P F AVG (or similar), pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
R. Lion crouching left, head turned back right, CON (Constantinople) in exergue.
Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint
.84g
RIC X 674, LRBC 2260

 

Interesting thread, interesting coins. In some cases it's obvious that the look-back conserves space on the flan. In other cases, it just looks artistic. I have this little bronze of Selge, Pisidia with a back-facing stag. This pose looks emblematic to me - almost like a modern logo. It's a nice coin, but the most interesting feature is the obverse, with 3/4 facing bust of Herakles wreathed in styrax. Does anyone know if this rendition of Herakles occurred on coins of any other city?

 

Sybaris

Kroton


Eion - the lizard missed the memo about looking back but curved his tail to fit the space.
More of these Ptolemaic manhole covers show the eagle forward but my 46mm one has a look-back bird.

 

Here's my Leo I/lion looking back:


DN LEO PF AVG
CON mintmark. 12 mm.
RIC X 674, page 293, plate 26
The lion looks to be smiling and friendly and almost playful.

 

Yeahhhh if that lion was real I would still not get anywhere near it....

 

Carthage Silver Shekel.

 

Well, I checked my pics gallery and have to say most animals on coins I have don't look back, although I don't have so many of them (maybe an unconscious selection on my part...)

Some of them actually look back though


S. Pompeius Fostlus, Denarius Rome mint, 137 BC
Helmeted head of Roma right, X below chin, jug behind head
SEX PO [FOSTLVS] She wolf suckling Remus and Romulus, fig tree in background, the shepherd Faustulus behind. ROMA at exergue
3,73 gr
Ref : RCV # 112 var, RSC Pompeia # 1a, Crawford # 235/1c



Augustus, Denarius struck in Lyon c.12 BC
AUGUSTUS DIVI F, Bare head of Augustus right
IMP X, Bull butting right
3.77 gr
Ref : RCV #1610, Cohen #137

Q

PS : @Pishpash that Chersonese hemidrachm is just amazing