Eroticism on Ancient coins

[Roman Collector]

Mike Markowitz has written a Coin Week article about eroticism on ancient coins. You might find it interesting.

[shanxi]

I wonder whether or not images like Mars and Venus had an erotic component for viewers in ancient times.  

Faustina II
Bronze As
Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair in waves and bun at the back
Reverse: VENERI VICTRICI (to victorious Venus), Venus standing right, nude to the waist, both hands holding the right arm of Mars, Mars standing front, nude, helmeted head left, shield on his left arm, parazonium at left side, S - C (senatus consulto) across field.
AE, 11.911g, maximum diameter 26.5mm, die axis 195°
Ref.: RIC III MA1680 (R); BMCRE IV p. 543, MA999; Cohen III 241; SRCV II 5305; Hunter II p. 360, 78,
Ex Errett Bishop Collection

 

 

Photo: Wikimedia, Livioandronico2013.

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by shanxi

[Al Kowsky]

2 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

Mike Markowitz has written a Coin Week article about eroticism on ancient coins. You might find it interesting.

Interesting article, thanks for the link ☺️.

[Al Kowsky]

4 hours ago, shanxi said:

I wonder whether or not images like Mars and Venus had an erotic component for viewers in ancient times.  

Faustina II
Bronze As
Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair in waves and bun at the back
Reverse: VENERI VICTRICI (to victorious Venus), Venus standing right, nude to the waist, both hands holding the right arm of Mars, Mars standing front, nude, helmeted head left, shield on his left arm, parazonium at left side, S - C (senatus consulto) across field.
AE, 11.911g, maximum diameter 26.5mm, die axis 195°
Ref.: RIC III MA1680 (R); BMCRE IV p. 543, MA999; Cohen III 241; SRCV II 5305; Hunter II p. 360, 78,
Ex Errett Bishop Collection

 

 

Photo: Wikimedia, Livioandronico2013.

 

I'm sure the sestertius of Faustina & Mars had erotic overtones to very perceptive Romans 😏. No doubt sestertii like the one pictured below also had erotic overtones, since Julia's lascivious nature was no secret to patrician Romans 😂.

[Curtis JJ]

Interesting article, I noticed one or two types I wasn't familiar with. M.M. certainly wasn't being shy, but here's one he didn't include: 

Priapus is known today for giving his name to a side-effect mentioned in Viagra and Cialis commercials (priapism), based on his exaggerated permanent erection. He was much more than crude humor and obscenity -- but he was that, too!

Shouldn't have sold this one. Thought I'd get a replacement. Always loved how it looks like Septimius is looking at Priapus' phallus smiling. 

As Atia of the Julii said (on HBO): A large penis is always welcome!

Septimius Severus AE Assarion. Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis as Istrum.

Obv: AVT CEΠT CEVHΡO. Laureate head right. 

Rev: NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠΡOC IC. Ithyphallic Priapus standing left.

Ref: Moushmov 987; AMNG 1380; Sear GIC 2280

Prov: Chicago, April 2014, CICF Bourse; sold shortly after on vcoins or ebay.

Edited August 29, 2022 by Curtis JJ

[Etcherdude]

4 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

Mike Markowitz has written a Coin Week article about eroticism on ancient coins. You might find it interesting.

 

Interestingly, the article’s graphic represents eroticism in ancient fresco painting, not on coins.

Edited August 29, 2022 by Etcherdude

[Restitutor]

34 minutes ago, Etcherdude said:

Interestingly, the article’s graphic represents eroticism in ancient fresco painting, not on coins.

Good catch! Wonder if they wanted something in color to “pop” more for the image design. 

[Restitutor]

48 minutes ago, Curtis JJ said:

Interesting article, I noticed one or two types I wasn't familiar with. M.M. certainly wasn't being shy, but here's one he didn't include: 

Priapus is known today for giving his name to a side-effect mentioned in Viagra and Cialis commercials (priapism), based on his exaggerated permanent erection. He was much more than crude humor and obscenity -- but he was that, too!

Shouldn't have sold this one. Thought I'd get a replacement. Always loved how it looks like Septimius is looking at Priapus' phallus smiling. 

As Atia of the Julii said (on HBO): A large penis is always welcome!

Septimius Severus AE Assarion. Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis as Istrum.

Obv: AVT CEΠT CEVHΡO. Laureate head right. 

Rev: NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠΡOC IC. Ithyphallic Priapus standing left.

Ref: Moushmov 987; AMNG 1380; Sear GIC 2280

Prov: Chicago, April 2014, CICF Bourse; sold shortly after on vcoins or ebay.

And six barrels of ice! 😉 

That coin is spectacular, I had no idea Romans made coins like that lol. Definitely going to add it to my “must acquire soon” list 🤣

[Ryro]

Fun article! And another bucket lister. I cannot believe this Caracalla with one cupid getting ready to rail another (I don't remember ever reading that one in mythology)

Years ago after seeing the CRAZY prices spinatrae can cost at auction I thought it best to get some modern "hole fillers" 😜

of course here are my usual kinky suspects:

We've the masterbating satyr:

Satyr work "girlfriend"

Johnny Holmes satyr

And Venus plump rump on my way out:

[Al Kowsky]

One of the most famous erotic stories in Roman mythology (borrowed from the Greeks 😏) was Leda & the Swan. The Roman god Jupiter was so enchanted by the beauty of Leda that he wanted to make love with her but he did not want to reveal his identity, so he appeared to her in the guise of a swan. Their union brought forth 4 large eggs containing the babies Castor, Pollux, Helen & Clytemnestra 😲! Leonardo da Vinci created the most beautiful painting of this myth that was ordered to be destroyed by the Roman Catholic Pope 😢. Before the painting was destroyed several excellent copies of the painting were made ☺️. Pictured below is a modern Chinese glass snuff bottle that has Leonardo's famous painting executed on the inside of the bottle. The other side of the bottle has a painting of Venus & Cupid snuggling together, also painted on the inside of the bottle.

Inside painted Chinese glass snuff bottle, 3.5 in. high. Al Kowsky Collection.

 

[shanxi]

It is interesting how the representation of ancient gods has been charged with eroticism in modern times. 
For example, no one in antiquity would have depicted Artemis/Diana naked. That could have meant trouble with the goddess.
But already in the 19th century the representation of the young woman was eroticized. (see the two medals)
This has changed only in the last twenty years. Meanwhile Artemis/Diana is depicted as a sporty (and dressed) fighter. This, of course, is also a very limited view of Artemis' many tasks and abilities.

[NewStyleKing]

I have nothing like it...honestly!  But IU have no doubt my Athenian NewStyles has bought no end of questionable types of behavior and an excess of food and drink too!.. If only they could talk!

 

NSK=John