(Vol. vi., p. 485.)
Mr. Burgon (_Inquiry into the Motive of the Representations on Ancient
Coins_, p. 19.) says:
"I do not believe that the types of coins are, on any occasion,
original compositions; but always copied from some sacred public
monument.... When we find Minerva represented on coins, we are not to
understand the type as _a Minerva_, but _the Minerva of that place_;
and in some cases which might be brought forward, the individual
statues which are represented on coins, or ancient copies, will be
found still to exist."
This opinion is certainly borne out by a very great number of proofs, and
may almost be considered demonstrated. The Farnese Hercules is found on
many coins, Roman and Greek. The commonest among the Roman are those of
Gordianus Pius, 1st and 2nd brass, with "VIRTVTI AVGVSTI." Three colonial
coins of Corinth, of Severus, Caracalla, and Geta (Vaillant, _Num. Imp.
Coloniis percuss_., ii. 7. 32. 54.), exhibit the same figure. As an
additional illustration of Mr. Burgon's view, I would advert to the
Corinthian coin of Aurelius (Vaill. i. 182.), which has a Hercules in a
different attitude; and which Vaillant regards as a copy of the statue
mentioned by Pausanias as existing at Corinth. Du Choul (_Religio vet.
Rom._, 1685, pp. 158, 159.) gives a coin representing Hercules killing
Antæus; and quotes Pliny for a statue representing this by Polycletus. Haym
also (_Tesoro_, i. 248.) gives a coin with a reversed view of the same
subject. The figures of Hercules on coins of Commodus are certainly copied
from the statues of that Emperor. Baudelot de Dairval (_De l'Utilité des
Voyages_) gives a small silver statuette of Commodus as Hercules, certainly
copied from the larger statues, and corresponding with those on coins.
I am not aware of any coins exhibiting exactly the Venus de Medici. It is
possible, however, that they exist, though I cannot at present find them.
Haym (_Tesoro_, ii. 246., tab. xvi. 3.) gives a coin of Cnidus, with a very
similar representation, the Cnidian Venus, known to be copied from a statue
by Praxiteles.