It is said that the creativity of man’s designs and inventions is influenced by nature. This influence can also be seen on coins. Many great empires throughout the history depict flora and fauna on coins as a representation of Gods and Goddesses or just for design. One such fine example of this illustration is a dolphin’s depiction on coins.
The representation of this sea creature on coins in various forms can be seen throughout the ancient monetary systems. Sometimes it is depicted in a quiet and fixed position while other times it is depicted in a state of movement. Dolphins were dedicated to Apollo; a Delphic tripod is thus depicted on silver coins of Vitellius. The similar tripod is depicted on the Denarius of Titus but without a legend.
Dolphins are sacred to Neptune. On the coin of Agrippa, Augustus, Caligula, Vespasian and other Roman Emperors Neptune is depicted holding dolphin in his hand. This fish is also dedicated to Venus and in early Roman coinage, this aquatic mammal occurs on the denomination like Triens, Quadrans, and Sextans.
This bronze Terunicas shown in the above picture belongs to the coinage of Roman Republic during the pre-Denarius system. On this cast coin dolphin is depicted on the obverse side with the denominational mark three pellets below it. The reverse of this coin depicts a star with six rays.
Some interesting facts:
a) Neptune is the god who presides over the sea and affairs of navigation.
b) Dolphin also appears with cupid on its back on Denarius coins minted in Cordia during the era of Roman Republic.
c) Dolphins entwined around an anchor on coins is a symbol of the Roman Emperor Augustus.
d) The dolphin and eagle are depicted on the reverse of the Denarius coins, struck in the honour of Pompey the Great.
To know more about Roman republic coins click here.
Ram Singh II was the maharaja of Princely State Jaipur between 1835 and 1880. Throughout his reign, ...
Philip III Arrhidaios ruled the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia from 323 until his execution in 3...
On This Day in 1832, Louisa May Alcott a novelist and short story writer was born in Philadelphia. ...
Very rare 11.45g, gold tanka of Gujarat Sultan, Shams al-Din Muzaffar II, Sold For INR Rs. 95,000 in...
#OnThisDay 1952, the First International Organization of Birth Control was founded in #India.
Thank you for visiting our website and for your interest in our endeavour.
For a past few days we have been recieving queries whether we buy/sell coins, stamps and currency.
We would like to inform you that, as of date, we have not provided such a platform. However please register on our website and do keep visiting our portal for further notifications on such a forum and other important and exciting news/updates.
Happy Collecting !
Email: info@mintageworld.com
Contact Us