Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
Sign language on a Constantine coin
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Victor_Clark, post: 3530495, member: 10613"][ATTACH=full]938028[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This coin has an obverse and reverse that has figures with hands raised, but they are not waving. The Sol on reverse is so small the details are hard to make out, but Constantine shows more of what is going on. RIC VII describes this bust as showing imperatorial gestus. The word gestus is a great German word which means physical gestures that convey the attitude, or "gist”. So, the raised hand for Constantine (note the fingers also) is meant to convey a sense of regalness and authority. Sol, of course as befitting a god, also has a raised hand.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The curious position of Constantine’s fingers was not accidental, but actually meant something to the Romans- think sign language.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]938029[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>These gestures are carried on into Byzantine culture also. Besides coins, you see the hand gestures on icons. Note the similarity of the gesture to Constantine.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]938030[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>For those interested, a small introduction-- </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://aleteia.org/2016/06/12/what-do-hand-gestures-in-icons-mean/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://aleteia.org/2016/06/12/what-do-hand-gestures-in-icons-mean/" rel="nofollow">https://aleteia.org/2016/06/12/what...-icons-mean/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chironomia" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chironomia" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chironomia</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Victor_Clark, post: 3530495, member: 10613"][ATTACH=full]938028[/ATTACH] This coin has an obverse and reverse that has figures with hands raised, but they are not waving. The Sol on reverse is so small the details are hard to make out, but Constantine shows more of what is going on. RIC VII describes this bust as showing imperatorial gestus. The word gestus is a great German word which means physical gestures that convey the attitude, or "gist”. So, the raised hand for Constantine (note the fingers also) is meant to convey a sense of regalness and authority. Sol, of course as befitting a god, also has a raised hand. The curious position of Constantine’s fingers was not accidental, but actually meant something to the Romans- think sign language. [ATTACH=full]938029[/ATTACH] These gestures are carried on into Byzantine culture also. Besides coins, you see the hand gestures on icons. Note the similarity of the gesture to Constantine. [ATTACH=full]938030[/ATTACH] For those interested, a small introduction-- [URL='https://aleteia.org/2016/06/12/what-do-hand-gestures-in-icons-mean/']https://aleteia.org/2016/06/12/what...-icons-mean/[/URL] [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chironomia[/url][/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
Sign language on a Constantine coin
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...