Fontanille Coins
Auction 74 8 June 2015
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Herod the Great, large denomination struck year 37 B.C.E. (GBC 1169) 6.02 g.
Even if far above average, we already offered better examples for this coin type. However, this coin struck by the dies O23-R113 shows the leaves decorating the helmet's bowl in exceptional condition. One may think this minute detail is of secondary importance, but it is definitely not the case: As we discussed about in our book The Coins of Herod (Ariel & Fontanille 2012), this sophisticated helmet is in fact the parade helmet of Herod the Great himself, as the half denomination shows the combat helmet of his soldiers, much less sophisticated than this one.
The subject is fascinating: For some reasons related to the 2nd commandment, Herod would have never depicted his own portrait on coins, as the Romans did. So he probably decided to illustrate - on his largest coin type - the object that would be the best and most significant symbol of his power and his victory over Antigonus: his parade helmet. Also, I do not believe the palm branches flanking the helmet are here for esthetical reasons only. I see them as a parallel to the laurel wreath the Roman emperors were depicted with on their coins. The bust of Herod the Great is not visible on this coin type, but he did a lot to show us he is almost there.
Est. 550-650
Even if far above average, we already offered better examples for this coin type. However, this coin struck by the dies O23-R113 shows the leaves decorating the helmet's bowl in exceptional condition. One may think this minute detail is of secondary importance, but it is definitely not the case: As we discussed about in our book The Coins of Herod (Ariel & Fontanille 2012), this sophisticated helmet is in fact the parade helmet of Herod the Great himself, as the half denomination shows the combat helmet of his soldiers, much less sophisticated than this one.
The subject is fascinating: For some reasons related to the 2nd commandment, Herod would have never depicted his own portrait on coins, as the Romans did. So he probably decided to illustrate - on his largest coin type - the object that would be the best and most significant symbol of his power and his victory over Antigonus: his parade helmet. Also, I do not believe the palm branches flanking the helmet are here for esthetical reasons only. I see them as a parallel to the laurel wreath the Roman emperors were depicted with on their coins. The bust of Herod the Great is not visible on this coin type, but he did a lot to show us he is almost there.
Est. 550-650