Roman Provincial Coins Discussion Forum / Re: Strange detail on Nike
« Last post by Serendipity on Today at 02:33:39 am »I've seen so many mundane exergue lines on both ancient and modern coins that I actually love the way the die cutter has thickened the exergue line at both ends lending it the same aesthetic appeal as Nike's intricately rendered clothing. I also love incidentally the way the die cutter has furrowed the laureate bust's brow on the obverse complemented by the downcast eye lending it a look of concern.
I'm inclined to agree with Joe's observation that the reason the right side of the exergue line appears different from the left side is down to die wear. You can see the same granulated die wear on Nike's wing to the right. True, it does veer away from a straightforward ground-line but it's a nice artistic effect all the same.
I don't know if Nike has any maritime connections but I can't but help notice the wavelike formation on the laureate bust's cuirass and the ground-line's resemblance to a ship's curved prow. Perhaps I'm reading too much into that and giving the die cutter unwarranted artistic licence.