Notes and Queries, Number 167, January 8, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Number 167, January 8, 1853: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
"I do not believe that the types of coins are, on any occasion,
original compositions; but always copied from some sacred public
monument.... When we find Minerva represented on coins, we are not to
understand the type as _a Minerva_, but _the Minerva of that place_;
and in some cases which might be brought forward, the individual
statues which are represented on coins, or ancient copies, will be
found still to exist."
This opinion is certainly borne out by a very great number of proofs, and
may almost be considered demonstrated. The Farnese Hercules is found on
many coins, Roman and Greek. The commonest among the Roman are those of
Gordianus Pius, 1st and 2nd brass, with "VIRTVTI AVGVSTI." Three colonial
coins of Corinth, of Severus, Caracalla, and Geta (Vaillant, _Num. Imp.
Coloniis percuss_., ii. 7. 32. 54.), exhibit the same figure. As an
additional illustration of Mr. Burgon's view, I would advert to the
Corinthian coin of Aurelius (Vaill. i. 182.), which has a Hercules in a
different attitude; and which Vaillant regards as a copy of the statue
mentioned by Pausanias as existing at Corinth. Du Choul (_Religio vet.
Rom._, 1685, pp. 158, 159.) gives a coin representing Hercules killing
Antæus; and quotes Pliny for a statue representing this by Polycletus. Haym
also (_Tesoro_, i. 248.) gives a coin with a reversed view of the same
subject. The figures of Hercules on coins of Commodus are certainly copied
from the statues of that Emperor. Baudelot de Dairval (_De l'Utilité des
Voyages_) gives a small silver statuette of Commodus as Hercules, certainly
copied from the larger statues, and corresponding with those on coins.
I am not aware of any coins exhibiting exactly the Venus de Medici. It is
possible, however, that they exist, though I cannot at present find them.
Haym (_Tesoro_, ii. 246., tab. xvi. 3.) gives a coin of Cnidus, with a very
similar representation, the Cnidian Venus, known to be copied from a statue
by Praxiteles.
I must say the same as to the Apollo Belvidere.
I cannot at present refer to an engraving of the equestrian statue of
Aurelius, but Mr. Akerman (_Descr. Cat._, i. 280. 12. 14., 283. 10.)
describes gold coins and a medallion of Aurelius, representing him on
horseback; and I find in the plates appended by De Bie to _Augustini
Antiquatum ex Nummis Dialogi_, Antw., 1617, plate 47., one of these coins
engraved. I find the medallion engraved also by Erizzo (last edition, n.
d., p. 335.) who explains it as referring to this statue. He says, however,
that the attribution of the statue was uncertain; and that on a medallion
of Antoninus Pius, which he possessed, exactly the same representation was
found, whence he was inclined to suppose it rather erected for Antoninus
Pius.
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