Now that is a
rare coin you have there
quadrans!
I am fascinated by the transmutation of Classical art into
Medieval art through the dangerous confusion of the Dark Ages. What am I seeing in this extraordinarily primitive
portrait? The things that seem to have impressed the ancient die cutter most are the pearl diadem and the kings armor, which looks like
scale armor. Both have been exaggerated to the point of overwhelming the details of the Kings human
face completely.
The
style of
portraits of
King Theoderic on coins struck in
Rome drew on the Classical artistic heritage making them decidedly
Byzantine in appearance. But your
Sirmium example was clearly created by someone with no knowledge or understanding of Classicism. I think this little coin is telling us life in
Sirmium must have been truly been
Dark at the time.
I suppose that at this time it was
social position that mattered, so if the
king had a diadem of pearls that meant he
had great wealth, and if he
had very good armor he was therefore a powerful warrior who could impose
his will on others.
I have taken the
liberty of copying your coin and highlighting what I think I see in the
obverse portrait.
Another very interesting coin in your great
collection my friend, congratulations.
Best regards,
Steve
