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The Most Beautiful: Coins Featuring Women Selected by Alain Baron and Philippe Veuve
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Nymph Arethusa. Syracuse. Tetradrachm, signed by Kimon, c. 405-400 BC. © NGSA.
Katherine Erhart, in her dissertation on facing head Greek coins, praises this coin “… which is easily the most beautiful coin of all time, one applauded by ancient die-engravers and modern critics alike. … No other engraver before or since has so magnificently exploited the compositional potential of the small circular coin flan.” The combination of the obverse, a reverse dedicated to a victorious charioteer, and the innovative and remarkable quality of the dies, earmarks this as a commemorative issue. As such, it has been associated with the defeat of the Athenian fleet at Syracuse in 413 B.C. and with the good fate of the Syracusans in the otherwise devastating Carthaginian invasion of Sicily in 406/5 B.C.
Top 1Katherine Erhart, in her dissertation on facing head Greek coins, praises this coin “… which is easily the most beautiful coin of all time, one applauded by ancient die-engravers and modern critics alike. … No other engraver before or since has so magnificently exploited the compositional potential of the small circular coin flan.” The combination of the obverse, a reverse dedicated to a victorious charioteer, and the innovative and remarkable quality of the dies, earmarks this as a commemorative issue. As such, it has been associated with the defeat of the Athenian fleet at Syracuse in 413 B.C. and with the good fate of the Syracusans in the otherwise devastating Carthaginian invasion of Sicily in 406/5 B.C.

Berenice II, Queen of Egypt, 246-221 BC. Pentakaidecadrachm, struck in Alexandria. © NGSA.
Berenice II was the daughter of the king of Cyrenaica, Magas. She became queen of Cyrene in 250 BC and married Ptolemy III of Egypt in 246. During her husband’s campaign in Syria, she ruled Egypt by herself. For the first time in History, a woman issued coins in her own name and with her own portrait.
Top 2Berenice II was the daughter of the king of Cyrenaica, Magas. She became queen of Cyrene in 250 BC and married Ptolemy III of Egypt in 246. During her husband’s campaign in Syria, she ruled Egypt by herself. For the first time in History, a woman issued coins in her own name and with her own portrait.

Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt, 51-30 BC. Denarius, c. 32 BC. © NGSA.
Cleopatra, queen of Egypt was among other subjects interested in astronomy and she probably introduced Caesar to her astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria, who first proposed the idea of leap days and leap years. After this meeting, Julius Caesar introduced a new calendar in Rome, which is still used today in western countries with only some minor modifications. Mark Antony (shown on this coin), one of the three men who ruled Rome in the power vacuum following Caesar’s death, summoned her to Tarsus where she charmed the mighty Roman. Their romance entered world literature through Shakespeare …
Top 3Cleopatra, queen of Egypt was among other subjects interested in astronomy and she probably introduced Caesar to her astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria, who first proposed the idea of leap days and leap years. After this meeting, Julius Caesar introduced a new calendar in Rome, which is still used today in western countries with only some minor modifications. Mark Antony (shown on this coin), one of the three men who ruled Rome in the power vacuum following Caesar’s death, summoned her to Tarsus where she charmed the mighty Roman. Their romance entered world literature through Shakespeare …

Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius, 138-141. Aureus, c. 141-161. © NGSA.
Usually the empress herself had no great power, but they were frequently portrayed on coins in order to reinforce the ruling dynasty. These coins are priceless witnesses of hairdressing and fashion. Faustina Senior (the Elder) was renowned for her beauty and was also known for being involved in assisting charities for the poor and sponsoring the education of children, particularly girls. After her death Antoninus issued a very extensive posthumous coinage in her memory, like this coin. Faustina was deified (placed among the gods) and her posthumous cult was exceptionally widespread.
Top 4Usually the empress herself had no great power, but they were frequently portrayed on coins in order to reinforce the ruling dynasty. These coins are priceless witnesses of hairdressing and fashion. Faustina Senior (the Elder) was renowned for her beauty and was also known for being involved in assisting charities for the poor and sponsoring the education of children, particularly girls. After her death Antoninus issued a very extensive posthumous coinage in her memory, like this coin. Faustina was deified (placed among the gods) and her posthumous cult was exceptionally widespread.

Ferdinand and Isabella, King and Queen of Spain, 1469-1504. Gold double Excelente struck in Seville. © NGSA.
At the time of their marriage on October 19, 1469 C.E., Isabella was the heir apparent to the kingdom of Castile, while Ferdinand was the heir to the kingdom of Aragon. This marriage was an important step toward the unification of what would become modern Spain. Since the beginning, Isabella and Ferdinand had a close relationship. In 1492, Isabella played a key role in the funding of Christopher Columbus’ trip to the West according him the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea. On the gold coin presented here the two portraits of monarchs are of equal dimensions. This kind of representation was designed to show the cooperation and working in tandem of the two monarchs.
Top 5At the time of their marriage on October 19, 1469 C.E., Isabella was the heir apparent to the kingdom of Castile, while Ferdinand was the heir to the kingdom of Aragon. This marriage was an important step toward the unification of what would become modern Spain. Since the beginning, Isabella and Ferdinand had a close relationship. In 1492, Isabella played a key role in the funding of Christopher Columbus’ trip to the West according him the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea. On the gold coin presented here the two portraits of monarchs are of equal dimensions. This kind of representation was designed to show the cooperation and working in tandem of the two monarchs.

Carmagnola, Italy. Marguerite de Foix, 1504-1528. Silver tallero 1516. © NGSA.
One of the earliest monetary portraits of a woman in modern times. Interestingly, Marguerite de Foix is portrayed alone, without any heir or husband to distract the viewer.
Top 6One of the earliest monetary portraits of a woman in modern times. Interestingly, Marguerite de Foix is portrayed alone, without any heir or husband to distract the viewer.

Marie de Médicis, Queen of France, 1573-1642. Silver medal by Guillaume Dupré issued in 1624. © NGSA.
Guillaume Dupré was a very talented artist. The queen’s dress is very impressive. Moreover, the reverted legend allows the viewer to see only the queen and not to be focused on the legend.
Top 7Guillaume Dupré was a very talented artist. The queen’s dress is very impressive. Moreover, the reverted legend allows the viewer to see only the queen and not to be focused on the legend.

Genoa, Italy. Gold 10 Doppie 1641, showing the Madonna with Child in the clouds. © NGSA.
The second half of the 16th century and the first half of the following century constitute the golden age of Genoa. Genoese bankers lend money to the whole of Europe and the fabric trade is in full swing. Around 1630, the city became so crowded that a new, more extensive surrounding wall had to be built. In 1637, the doge Gian Francesco Brignole symbolically offered the sovereignty of his states to the Virgin Mary, considered as Queen of Genoa and Corsica. This political operation allows him to distance himself from the Holy Roman Empire, of which Genoa is still theoretically a part.
Top 8The second half of the 16th century and the first half of the following century constitute the golden age of Genoa. Genoese bankers lend money to the whole of Europe and the fabric trade is in full swing. Around 1630, the city became so crowded that a new, more extensive surrounding wall had to be built. In 1637, the doge Gian Francesco Brignole symbolically offered the sovereignty of his states to the Virgin Mary, considered as Queen of Genoa and Corsica. This political operation allows him to distance himself from the Holy Roman Empire, of which Genoa is still theoretically a part.

Christina, Queen of Sweden, 1632-1654. Gold medal of Giovanni Battista Guglielmada. © NGSA.
Christina was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and succeeded her father on the throne at the age of six. Interestingly, her real title was “King of Sweden” because a woman was not allowed to rule on the country. Christina was fond of books, coins, paintings, and sculptures. She attracted many artists and scientists to Stockholm, but caused a scandal when she decided not to marry. In 1654, she abdicated her throne and went to Rome, where she played a leading part in the theatrical and musical community. The reverse features Christina’s famous motto: NEC FALSO NEC ALIENO, Neither false nor borrowed.
Top 9Christina was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and succeeded her father on the throne at the age of six. Interestingly, her real title was “King of Sweden” because a woman was not allowed to rule on the country. Christina was fond of books, coins, paintings, and sculptures. She attracted many artists and scientists to Stockholm, but caused a scandal when she decided not to marry. In 1654, she abdicated her throne and went to Rome, where she played a leading part in the theatrical and musical community. The reverse features Christina’s famous motto: NEC FALSO NEC ALIENO, Neither false nor borrowed.

Catherine II, Empress of Russia, 1762-1796. Gold medal issued to commemorate her travels to Crimea in 1787. The reverse shows a map of the journey. © NGSA.
Catherine married the Grand Duke Peter in 1745, but the fact that Peter hated her was notorious. In 1762 Peter acceded to the throne, but his policies soon alienated most of the Russian people. In July 1762 the Leib Guard revolted, deposed Peter from power, and proclaimed Catherine the Empress of Russia. She embraced then a life of enlightened ideals, believed a ‘new kind of person’ could be created by inoculating Russian children with proper education, and had a reputation as a patron of the arts, literature and education. The Hermitage Museum which now occupies the whole Winter Palace began as Catherine’s personal collection.
Top 10Catherine married the Grand Duke Peter in 1745, but the fact that Peter hated her was notorious. In 1762 Peter acceded to the throne, but his policies soon alienated most of the Russian people. In July 1762 the Leib Guard revolted, deposed Peter from power, and proclaimed Catherine the Empress of Russia. She embraced then a life of enlightened ideals, believed a ‘new kind of person’ could be created by inoculating Russian children with proper education, and had a reputation as a patron of the arts, literature and education. The Hermitage Museum which now occupies the whole Winter Palace began as Catherine’s personal collection.
Since the beginning of times, women have been ruling the world. They were goddesses, warriors, queens, great mothers, or simply the wives of great men, and influenced yesterday’s and today’s world.
Coins provide a tangible record of former civilizations and cultures, and contribute to a wider understanding of the world. Coins illustrate through their designs a close up and detailed contemporary view of the world as perceived by their issuers. Coins are the best pictorial witnesses of their time. This is especially true regarding the importance of women in history.
We, Alain Baron and Philippe Veuve, chose these coins to demonstrate this fact.
To learn more about or to contact them, please go the Numismatica Genevensis website.