Money talks - numismatics
In this week's module we learned about Numismatics - the study (and/or collection) of coins, paper-money and medals. Nations have used this symbol of money as a means to establish its leaders and values through the use of symbols and images. Leaders themselves as we will observe, especially in the ancient world, use coins as a means to establish their authority, and use numismatics as a form of "message control" whereby they influence their follower's perception of them.
We first observed how the numismatics of today play out by looking at probably the most recognizable currency in the world, the US dollar. Ont the $1 bill we observed the various symbols and what they mean to American and what values of the United States they represent and hold. As is examined numismatics more and more I started to view it as a sort of patriotic propaganda that each country implements in order to 1. show its national symbols and heroes and 2. display what they stand for as a country and as a people. the visible and tangible and the ideology.
On the American US dollar there are two sides. The front of the note, usually carries the portrait of a person and is called the obverse. The opposite side, is called the reverse. The obverse's most striking feature is George Washington, the first president of America. He is not faced directly forward nor to the side, but he is angled just enough so that both the full face and side of his head can be observed, giving him a more 3D appearance. A shadow is also cast on his neck for full effect. The words FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is written above the portrait and ONE DOLLAR is written below. This gives the currency legitimacy and clarity. The country and government is bold, as well as the value of the note. The portrait of Washington is symbolic because he was the first president, a symbol of unity and authority, a respected and recognizable figure. The seal of the treasury on Washington's right is also indicative because on it is a balancing scale, representing fairness, justice, equality. This is especially an appropriate symbol for money because it gives the impression to me of American government being one of "checks and balances" and far from corruption. This is where some of the ideologies come into play. Democracy, fairness and autonomy (independence) are qualities that America advocate for, at lest in its dialogue in foreign policies and local as well (thinking of the American dream).
For the nation's Department of Treasury to have the balancing scale and the key (think key to the city) are both appropriate symbols for what America represents itself as to the global community. The number 13 is also observed in the amount of stars on the seal's chevron, representing America's original 13 colonies, reminiscent of its founding and also ties back into George Washington. 13 again on the levels of the pyramid on the reverse side of the dollar, and the amount of arrows within the eagles left talons. 13 is observed in a number of other different places of the dollar. the eagle grasps a olive branch in its prominent right talons, signifying to me that America proceeds with peace at her prerogative before war. The eagle a symbol of dignity and capable of soaring to great heights. In its beak, the translated words for "out of many, one" again tying into its values of unity and togetherness, however not necessarily the same, as it may relate to religious values, race, ethnicity, and soon. Besides the US dollar we have today, this module exposed us to the vast range of different US currencies it had. Everything from Angels symbolizing lightning, frogs and treasures have been depicted. There seems to be a currency for every occasion.
Thursday 3-5pm Private study
We also examined Roman coinage from the 3rd century BC - 1st century BC.
Coins produced in Rome in the late 2nd and early 1st centuries BC are known as “familial” types because coin types commemorating the deeds of the ancestors of Roman moneyers began to be depicted; some coins depicted deities such as Jupiter, Zeus, Victory, Apollo and others and are referred to as "topical" types.
Coins produced in Rome in the 1st century BC from 83 BC (the time of Sulla: 138-78 BC) onward are known as “personal” types because coin types commemorating the deeds of living, leading figures such as Pompey the Great, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavian, and so on began to be depicted. These coins may have represented the special feats of these rulers, whether in a political, religious or usually military affair. Caesar depicted the goddess Venus on the reverse side of some of his coins in order to establish himself and reiterate the fact that he was descended from her. Alexander the Great depicted himself wearing the head of the Nameon Lion on some of his coins obverse side. On his reverse of those coing he depicted Hercules. These leaders engaged in coinage for the purpose of establishing their heritage and why they were authorized. "They had the gods on their side. / They were divinely aided."
Octavian/Augustan coinage presented some advances in the field of numismatics, in that these Roman coins presented themselves with an increase in the use of legends and honors conferred onto them by the public. These honors were for various reasons, and they being represented on the coins in minting help to solidify these honors and Augustus’ recognition of them. Some people of these ancient times may not have knew they new emperor. Coins would have served in the same capacity as modern day social media (twitter, Instagram) and newspapers; telling a story of the leader, the honors conferred upon them, the symbols which most closely represented their achievements (in the case of Augustus, the laurel wreath, chariot, curule chair, scroll, triumphal arch, shield and spear. These representations give the various aspects for which Augustus was known, and for which he sought to be known for. Many people throughout the provinces of the empire would never come into contact with these Emperors or their grandiose statues and portraiture but was expected to become familiar with them nonetheless. Money provided the key medium of this as it circulated widely from province to province.
It is interesting to look and see what these coins told us about the leader Augustus. In step four of this module we were exposed to several different types of coins my favorite were those that had full length figures of Augustus on the reverse side. Figure one showed him robed and proceeding with his spear in his hand showing his political and military skill. Figure two depicted him on a ships mast on the obverse; on the reverse shows him drawn by a four-horse chariot, the chariot depicts a deity handing something down to him as a sign of appointment, his head is Laureled to show excellence and prestige. There is incredible detail in the coin. All 16 legs of the horses are represented and the reins of the horses as well. The olive branch in his hand signifies him coming back from his triumph in peace. A sign that even though he has com back victorious, he is still humbled and in the service of Rome. This sign of humility is carried over into the reverse side of the coin in figure three, Augustus is presented here with a small penis (uncircumcised as is accustomed with Roman society, shows him as one of their own). The small penis signifies that he is in full control of his passions and his emotions and not without restraint. He shows his strong physique through six-pack abdominal muscles. His role as a conquer is expressed in the picture of him having the globe under his feet, a bold statement. He is holding a scepter, the sign of the traveler ties in with him being a conqueror of foreign lands and nations.
Thursday 11/3 9:40-11am Class
In class on Thursday we were asked to:
- Identify what we wanted to become.
- Why we were qualified for this position.
- A detailed plan on how we were to get there.
- What we were doing to achieve this goal.
- I will be the Next Great Caribbean Thinker and in this role I will hold many positions of author, activist, educator and ambassador.
- I understand Caribbean people and their experiences and I have a passion for improving the Caribbean. Economically and Educationally. I am currently studying History of Latin America and the Caribbean. I intend to follow this path, learning and teaching other along the way, maybe in the capacity of a professor.
- I will become an Ambassador. I am conflicted in this because I can go about it two different ways:
- I can become an ambassador from the US to the Caribbean. These seems like a route with much more opportunity, however I will have to negotiate policies that are advantageous to the US.
- I can become an ambassador from the Caribbean to the US, a role which seems much more difficult to obtain, and one in which I would have less clout.
I received the critique that I need to build my networking skills and be a little less nonchalant, and more open and inviting. I know I need to definitely work on my leadership skills.
Whats interesting is the money I will design for a common United States of the Caribbean. and the symbols, heroes and ideologies that will be present on it and represent the Caribbean values...