THE FIRST LIVING PERSON ON A ROMAN COIN

A proposed one dollar coin featuring US President Donald Trump is causing ructions across the political divide. It's also provoking discussion in the world of ancient Roman numismatics (coin studies).

While only a draft proposal, the coin could be minted in 2026 to mark 250 years since the US declaration of independence. But an old law prohibits the "likeness of any living person" from being "placed upon any of the bonds, securities, notes, fractional or postal currency of the United States."

More than 2,000 years ago, the depiction of living figures on Roman coins caused similar ructions.

It came at a time when the Roman republic was in trouble. The republic would crumble altogether soon after, ushering in the long period of Rome being led by emperor-kings who saw themselves as almost akin to gods.

In 88 BCE, while consul, Sulla marched an army on Rome to defend the city from "tyrants" (by which he meant the faction of Marius, who had ousted him). After Sulla won the civil war that followed, he held the dictatorship from 82-79 BCE. Dictatorships were only to be held for six months in times of emergency. Sulla claimed the emergency was ongoing.

As part of this he ordered a list (known as proscriptions) of enemies drawn up. Hundreds or even thousands were killed and had property confiscated.

In the same year a silver coin (called a denarius) was minted in Sulla's name. One side featured Sulla himself riding in a four-horse chariot.

This was the first time a living person was depicted on a Roman coin. Up to this point only gods and mythological figures had that honour.

It was highly unusual.

Sulla was the first but he wouldn't be the last leader of the Roman republic to have his image on a coin.

Some emphasise that Caesar did not directly order his image to be placed on coins. Those wanting to curry favour read the room and Caesar did not object.

A similar scenario appears to be playing out with the coin design bearing Trump's image.

To read the complete article, see:
Trump on a coin? When Julius Caesar tried that, the Roman republic crumbled soon after (https://theconversation.com/trump-on-a-coin-when-julius-caesar-tried-that-the-roman-republic-crumbled-soon-after-266887)

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