The heads-up on effigies
Why does the monarch ’ s effigy appear on coins ?
In numismatics , effigy describes a specially prepared portrait on the obverse , or ‘ heads ’, side of a coin .
On early coinage , simple imagery was often used to represent ancient gods . Over time , however , these portrayals were replaced with effigies of important people . Also referred to as busts , modern coin effigies offer detailed and accurate portraits of kings , queens , and presidents .
One of the first leaders to become a familiar sight on coins was Alexander the Great . King of Macedon between 336 and 323 BC , he created a huge empire encompassing the eastern Mediterranean , Egypt , the Middle
East , and parts of Asia . But when the empire broke up after his death , leaders in the new Hellenistic kingdoms demonstrated the value of coins as political propaganda by using his effigy to successfully legitimise their own power .
In Rome , Julius Caesar was the first leader to see his own portrait on a coin . He wanted to demonstrate his absolute power throughout the Republic – a move that further enraged rivals , including Brutus , who assassinated Caesar in 44 BC . From then on , however , all Roman Emperors minted coins bearing their own likeness .