One way to show that a ruler was junior was to depict him with an unbroken legend and a small head: Constantine II, 317-337-340 Struck 320 at Thessalonica as Caesar under Constantine as Augustus 19 mm. 3.22 grams. CAESARVM NOSTRORVM around wreath enclosing VOT/V TSBVI in exergue. RIC Thessaloncia 108. Failmezger 300. Clearly the engraver had room to make the head larger, but the small head makes a clear statement. At the time Constantine was really in charge and Crispus, his eldest son, was next in line. Yes, Constantine II was Caesar, but any child drawing pictures for the refrigerator knows that small means less important. Show us your coins with small heads of heirs to the throne.
Is this mostly a later era thing? I've seen quite a few earlier 'as caesar' coins that aren't like this.
Yes, it occurs mostly in the 4th C. Then again, you can see it on Marc Antony/Octavian denarii. It didn't turn out the way Marc Antony wanted, but you can see who was regarded as more important by the engraver.
Warren => wow, that's awesome, eh? ... => thanks for pointing-out that very cool coin-fact Ummm, I also have a fairly cool example of this coin-type ... EGYPT, Alexandria. Saloninus. As Caesar BI Tetradrachm AD 258-260 Dated RY 7 of Valerian I and Gallienus (AD 259/60) Diameter: 22 mm Weight: 13.00 grams Obverse: Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right Reverse: Eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak; L Z (date) across field Reference: Köln 3005; Dattari (Savio) 5377; K&G 93.8 Other: 12h … VF, even brown surfaces. Rare From the Robert M. Harlick Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 281 (20 June 2012), lot 253 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saloninus Wow, that's such a cool coin, eh? (full points!!) ... poor lil' guy (just imagine being on the wrong-side of the Roman empire machine => eecchh, make him swallow molten gold!!)
I really think the "Lesser Rank" Theory is all wrong. I think they discovered and were advertising an unknown medication like Steve Martin explains in "Let's Get Small"...
Super 'little guy' posts!!! Hmm, It seems the OP type and the others posted have somehow eluded me up to now
@Smojo I have oodles of stuff, that I have not listed. Send me a PM through Cointalk, and we can discuss further, You get the special Cointalk Prices!
Will do. Have to mow the lawn & spread some ant kill stuff. Give me a few hours & will PM you. Thanks
Very interesting Valentinian. I didn't know that. The issue of Antony and Octavian also shows Octavian as the "boy" unable to grow a full beard. I've heard/read somewhere that Antony referred to him as "boy". Maybe that was HBO.
LICINIUS II AE3 OBVERSE: D N VAL LICIN LICINIVS NOB C, laurate draped bust left, holding globe, sceptre & mappa REVERSE: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS, campgate with three turrets & no doors, 6 layers, dot over dot in right field, SMHD in ex. Struck at Heraclea, 317-320 AD 3.3g, 19mm RIC VII 36
I trust all realize the subjects of these tiny busts were small children. Dressing them as a Consul or General was a bit much.
