Nice penny, Python! And this is the first time I've seen a medieval coin this early with a relatively accurate rendition of the portrait; usually the portrait is stylized. But here we can make out the realistic details of the king's face, with nose, mustache and goatee all visible. Neat!
.....GOD
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
<< <i>Nice penny, Python! And this is the first time I've seen a medieval coin this early with a relatively accurate rendition of the portrait; usually the portrait is stylized. But here we can make out the realistic details of the king's face, with nose, mustache and goatee all visible. Neat!
>>
I have to say this is a good observation. Stephen coins (some of them at any rate) do seem to show his portrait pretty much as contemporary illustrations do. Which makes me believe that there may be more than a grain of truth in the accuracy of how he looked. It's certainly different to the stylised portraits of how monarchs were 'supposed' to look as you'd find in later reigns (and earlier reigns), it seems the Normans were more accurate than most of their time.
Contemporary portraits of William I look like the picture of him on his coins, William II looks alot different on his portraits (non coin ones that is, they seem to be a William I carry over). Now if you were to look at paintings/illustrations of Edward I/II/III you'd be hard pressed to tell much difference.
Although that said certain issues of Stephen, notably the Derby mint ones with the legend STEPHANVS REX are stylised beyond the point of recognition! Very, very crude portraits indeed.
What makes me think that this portrait above is probably fairly accurate to some extent is that as far as i'm aware mustaches and goatee beards were not that fashionable. Norman fashions were generally shaven.
Comments
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
<< <i>Can't see the image. >>
Sorry, I always forget the privacy setting. That's a nice Stephen, I remember when you got it.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
<< <i>Fantastic coin Brett. >>
Thanks Ajaan
That is sweet!
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
<< <i>Nice penny, Python! And this is the first time I've seen a medieval coin this early with a relatively accurate rendition of the portrait; usually the portrait is stylized. But here we can make out the realistic details of the king's face, with nose, mustache and goatee all visible. Neat!
I have to say this is a good observation. Stephen coins (some of them at any rate) do seem to show his portrait pretty much as contemporary illustrations do. Which makes me believe that there may be more than a grain of truth in the accuracy of how he looked. It's certainly different to the stylised portraits of how monarchs were 'supposed' to look as you'd find in later reigns (and earlier reigns), it seems the Normans were more accurate than most of their time.
Contemporary portraits of William I look like the picture of him on his coins, William II looks alot different on his portraits (non coin ones that is, they seem to be a William I carry over). Now if you were to look at paintings/illustrations of Edward I/II/III you'd be hard pressed to tell much difference.
Although that said certain issues of Stephen, notably the Derby mint ones with the legend STEPHANVS REX are stylised beyond the point of recognition! Very, very crude portraits indeed.
What makes me think that this portrait above is probably fairly accurate to some extent is that as far as i'm aware mustaches and goatee beards were not that fashionable. Norman fashions were generally shaven.
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