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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Roman Coins| ▸ |Roman Countermarked||View Options:  |  |  |   

Countermarked Imperial Roman and Roman Provincial Coins

A countermark is a stamped or punched impression adding elements of design to a coin after it was originally struck. The practice of countermarking coins was widespread throughout antiquity. It was particularly common in the provinces of the Roman Empire. Countermarks were applied to coins for many reasons, including revalidation, revaluation, devaluation, and propaganda. Exactly when and why any individual countermark was applied is often uncertain.

Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Gerasa, Decapolis, Arabia

|Roman| |Arabia|, |Elagabalus,| |16| |May| |218| |-| |11| |March| |222| |A.D.,| |Gerasa,| |Decapolis,| |Arabia||AE| |20|
Jerash, Jordan is north of the national capital Amman. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it?s known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman city Gerasa just outside the modern city. Josephus mentions the city as being principally inhabited by Syrians, but also having a small Jewish community. In 106, Jerash was absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia, which included Philadelphia (modern day Amman). Jerash is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture outside of Italy. It is sometimes referred to as the "Pompeii of the Middle East" due to its size, extent of excavation and level of preservation.
RP57203. Bronze AE 20, RPC Online VI T9306.4 (same c/m, 7 spec.); Spijkerman 34a.3 (same coin); Rosenberger 41 (same c/m); Sofaer 32; c/m: Howgego 376 (9 spec.), Choice F, well centered, nice sea-green patina, rare fully legible rev. legend; c/m: F, weight 7.065 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 180o, Gerasa (Jerash, Jordon) mint, c. 218 - 222 A.D.; obverse AVT KAICAP ANTWNINOC, laureate and draped bust right, seen from behind; reverse AΛEΞANΔPOC MAKEΔWN, diademed head of Alexander the Great right, countermark: strung bow; very nice for the type!; very rare; $575.00 (€540.50)
 


Tiberius, 19 August 14 - 16 March 37 A.D., Magydus, Pamphylia

|Other| |Pamphylia|, |Tiberius,| |19| |August| |14| |-| |16| |March| |37| |A.D.,| |Magydus,| |Pamphylia||AE| |18|
Magydus was a small town on the coast between Attaleia and Perga, occasionally mentioned by ancient geographers, and on numerous coins of the imperial era. Its site was probably at modern Lara in the Ottoman vilayet of Konia, where there are ruins of a small man-made harbor. RPC Online notes, Ahmet Tolga Tek wrote, the countermark was used in Pamphylia on coins of Phaselis, Perge and Side.
RP114037. Bronze AE 18, RPC I 3367B, c/m: Howgego 432, aVF, green patina, light earthen deposits, marks, weight 4.206 g, maximum diameter 17.6 mm, die axis 0o, Magydus (Lara, Turkey) mint, obverse TIBEPIOC KAICAP, laureate head right; countermark: eight pointed star in a round punch; reverse MAΓYDEWN - H (year 8?), Jugate helmeted busts (Dioscuri?) right; zero sales of this type recorded on Coin Archives in the last two decades; extremely rare; $150.00 (€141.00)
 


Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Docimeium, Phrygia

|Other| |Phrygia|, |Nero,| |13| |October| |54| |-| |9| |June| |68| |A.D.,| |Docimeium,| |Phrygia||AE| |18|
Cybele was born a hermaphrodite, but castrated by the gods, she became female. Heeding the Sibylline oracle the senate brought her worship to Rome in 204 B.C. as the first officially sanctioned Eastern cult. After approval, they were dismayed to learn that the priesthood required voluntary self-castration, which was abhorrent to the Romans. Romans were barred from entering the priesthood or even entering the priest's sanctuary. The eunuch priests, recruited from outside Rome, were confined to their sanctuary, leaving only to parade in the streets during festivals in April. Claudius removed the bans on Roman participation, making worship of Cybele and her consort Attis part of the state religion.
RP113887. Brass AE 18, RPC I 3213.3 (same c/m); BMC Phrygia p. 191, 18 (same); Waddington 5954 (same); Hunterian II 2 = SNG Hunt I 2042 (same); c/m: Howgego 224, VF, well-defined countermark, dark patina, open edge crack, weight 3.064 g, maximum diameter 18.1 mm, die axis 0o, Docimeium (Iscehisar, Turkey) mint, c. 55 A.D.(?); obverse NEPΩN KAIΣAP, bare-headed draped bust of young Nero right, countermark: bearded bust left in an oval punch; reverse Cybele standing facing, between two lions, both turned away from her, but looking back in anticipation, ΔOKI/MEΩN divided in two upward lines above lions; $110.00 (€103.40)
 


Laodicea ad Lycum, Phrygia, 198 - 222 A.D.

|Laodicea| |ad| |Lycus|, |Laodicea| |ad| |Lycum,| |Phrygia,| |198| |-| |222| |A.D.||diassarion|
The Synedrion of the Neoi was a Greek city's organization young men, roughly 20 - 30 years old, who had completed their military training but who were not old enough to participate the city assembly, which was typically limited to "elders" over 30. The neaniskoi ("the boys") were organized around the gymnasia and had a range of military, political, social, and religious functions that varied by the city and over time.
RP112159. Bronze diassarion, RPC Online VI T5497; BMC Phrygia p. 299, 132; Martin Demos p. 215, 33; Imhoof-Blumer KM p. 275, 53; SNG Lewis 1610; c/m: Howgego 631 (PH) & 42 (bust), aF, dark brown patina, earthen deposits, holed, weight 6.909 g, maximum diameter 25.0 mm, die axis 180o, Laodicea ad Lycum (near Denizli, Turkey) mint, time of Caracalla to Elagabalus, 198 - 222 A.D.; obverse CYNEΔPIOY NEΩN (Synedrion of the Neoi), diademed and draped bust of the Synedrion of the Neoi left, holding two rods; countermarks: PH ligate (year 108 = 230/231 A.D.) in a 5.8mm round punch, bust of emperor right with CE or CEB before in 6.1 mm oval punch; reverse ΛAOΔIKEΩN NEΩKOPΩN, Hypnos-Thanatos or Eros reclining left on rocks, propping his head on his left hand, holding arrow(?) in his right hand; from Shawn Caza former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021), collection assembled during postings and international travel; ex Dorotheum Vienna; very rare; $100.00 (€94.00)
 


Philip I the Arab, February 244 - End of September 249 A.D., Diocaesarea, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Philip| |I| |the| |Arab,| |February| |244| |-| |End| |of| |September| |249| |A.D.,| |Diocaesarea,| |Cilicia||hexassarion|NEW
Diocaesarea, Cilicia was known as Olba until it was renamed during the reign of Vespasian. According to a legend told by Strabo (Geography, 14.5.10), the temple of Zeus Olbius was founded by Ajax, one of the Greek heroes of the Trojan War. The city and its surrounding territory was a theocracy, ruled by the hereditary priests of the temple.
RP113345. Bronze hexassarion, BMC 18 (same dies); RPC Online VIII U2053; Staffieri Diocaesarea 22; SNG BN 879 var. (rev. leg.); SNG Levante 676 var. (same); c/m: Howgego 470, F, rough brown surfaces, edge split, weight 22.790 g, maximum diameter 33.8 mm, die axis 0o, Olba-Dioceasarea (Mersin Province, Turkey) mint, Feb 244 - End Sep 249 A.D.; obverse AYT K M IOYΛIOC ΦIΛIΠΠOC CE,B (final B in lower right field), radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; c/m: six pointed star in 6.3mm round incuse; reverse AΔPI ΔIOKAICAP-E-ΩN MH, KEN/NA/T (ending in three lines upper center field), Tyche of Diocaesarea on left, seated right, turreted and draped, stalks of grain in right hand; Tyche of Olba on right, standing left, draped, kalathos on head, rudder in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; river-god Calycadnus(?) swimming left below; big AE34!, ex CNG e-sale 537 (26 Apr 2023), lot 330; ex Dr. Michael Slavin Collection; $100.00 (€94.00) ON RESERVE


Claudius, 25 January 41 - 13 October 54 A.D., Cadi, Phrygia

|Other| |Phrygia|, |Claudius,| |25| |January| |41| |-| |13| |October| |54| |A.D.,| |Cadi,| |Phrygia||AE| |20|
Cadi (Gediz, Turkey) was near the sources of the Hermus at the foot of Mount Dindymus. Gediz suffered major earthquakes in 1866, 1896, 1944, and 1970. The 7.2 magnitude earthquake on 28 March 1970 killed 1,086 people and left 1,260 people wounded and many thousands homeless. The town was relocated after the destruction to a new place 7 km away under the name "Yeni Gediz" (Turkish: New Gediz).
RP112132. Bronze AE 20, RPC Online I 3062; SNG Cop 246; SNGvA3685; SNG Lewis 1523; BMC Phrygia p. 120, 18; c/m: Howgego 309, F, dark patina, weight 4.886 g, maximum diameter 19.9 mm, die axis 0o, Cadi (Gediz, Turkey) mint, stephanephoro Meliton Asklepiadou, c. 50 - 54 A.D.; obverse KΛAYΔIOC KAICAP (counterclockwise from lower right), laureate head right; countermark: Capricorn right in an oval punch; reverse EΠI MEΛITΩNOC ACKΛHΠIAΔOY (under authority of Meliton, son of Asklepiados), Zeus standing left, eagle in right hand, long scepter in left hand, CTEΦAN monogram (stephanephoros, magistrate title) in lower left field; from Shawn Caza former diplomat, author of A Handbook of Late Roman Coins (Spink, 2021), collection assembled during postings and international travel; ex Dorotheum Vienna; $80.00 (€75.20)
 


Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Caesarea, Cappadocia

|Cappadocia|, |Elagabalus,| |16| |May| |218| |-| |11| |March| |222| |A.D.,| |Caesarea,| |Cappadocia||AE| |27|
Kayseri, originally called Mazaka or Mazaca, is in central Turkey on a low spur on the north side of Mount Erciyes (Mount Argaeus in ancient times). During Achaemenid Persian rule, it was the capital of a Satrapy on the crossroads of the Royal Road from Sardis to Susa and the trade route from Sinope to the Euphrates. It was conquered by Alexander's general Perdikkas, was ruled by Eumenes of Cardia, then passed to the Seleucid empire after the battle of Ipsus. It became the capital of the independent Cappadocian Kingdom under Ariarathes III, around 250 B.C. During Strabo's time it was also known as Eusebia, after the Cappadocian King Ariarathes V Eusebes, 163 – 130 B.C. The name was changed again to "Caesarea in Cappadocia" in honor of Caesar Augustus, upon his death in 14 A.D. The city passed under formal Roman rule in 17 A.D. In Roman times, it prospered on the route from Ephesus to the East. Caesarea was destroyed by the Sassanid King Shapur I after his victory over the Emperor Valerian I in 260 A.D. At the time it was recorded to have around 400,000 inhabitants. Arabic influence changed Caesarea to the modern name Kayseri. The city gradually recovered and has a population of around 1 million people today. Few traces of the ancient city survive.
RP112707. Bronze AE 27, Henseler 1062 (698d, notes otherwise unpublished var.), RPC Online VI T6703.26, Sydenham Caesarea p. 119, 522 (obv. leg. var.), F, dark green patina, some legend weak/off flan, porous, weight 12.451 g, maximum diameter 27.0 mm, die axis 315o, Cappadocia, Caesarea (Kayseri, Turkey) mint, 219 - 220 A.D.; obverse AY M AYPHΛIOC - ANTWNEINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; countermark: head of Helios right (?, obscure, uncertain) in a 4.4mm round punch; reverse MHTPOΠO - KAICAPIAC, agalma of Mount Argaeus placed on garlanded altar, ET Γ (year 3) in exergue; $80.00 (€75.20)
 


Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Laodiceia ad Mare, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria

|Other| |Syria|, |Septimius| |Severus,| |9| |April| |193| |-| |4| |February| |211| |A.D.,| |Laodiceia| |ad| |Mare,| |Seleucis| |and| |Pieria,| |Syria||AE| |27|
Laodiceia was made a metropolis in 194 and a colonia with ius Italicum in 197/8 A.D.
RP113185. Bronze AE 27, Meyer Laodikeia 10 (same rev. die); SNG Cop 362 (same c/ms); BMC Galatia p. 258, 84; Lindgren 2088; c/ms: Howgego 581 (CA), Howgego 586 (COL), gF, desert patina with highlighting earthen deposits, edge cracks, weight 9.525 g, maximum diameter 27.2 mm, die axis 0o, Laodicea ad Mare (Latakia, Syria) mint, obverse AYT KAI CEΠ CEOYHPOC, laureate head right, countermarks: CA and COL each in rectangular punch; reverse IOYΛ / ΛAOΔIC/EOYH / M/HTPOΠO/ΛEΩC (MH ligate) in five lines within laurel wreath; from the Michael Arslan Collection; $80.00 (€75.20)
 


Jerusalem, Judaea, Legio X Fretensis Countermarks, c. 68 - 132 A.D.

|Roman| |Countermarked|, |Jerusalem,| |Judaea,| |Legio| |X| |Fretensis| |Countermarks,| |c.| |68| |-| |132| |A.D.||AE| |26|
The boar and the galley were emblems of the Tenth Legion Fretensis, stationed in and around Jerusalem.
CM38681. Bronze AE 26, Hendin 6641 (R), countermarks F, weight 10.974 g, maximum diameter 25.9 mm, c. 68 - 132 A.D.; obverse Flavian(?) profile visible, LXF countermark; reverse galley and LXF boar countermarks; rare; SOLD


Nero Claudius Drusus, Born 38 B.C., Died 9 B.C., Issued by his Son Claudius

|Roman| |Countermarked|, |Nero| |Claudius| |Drusus,| |Born| |38| |B.C.,| |Died| |9| |B.C.,| |Issued| |by| |his| |Son| |Claudius||sestertius|
The countermark NCAPR was applied to numerous orichalcum coins of the reigns of Tiberius and Claudius. NCAPR is most often explained as "Nero Caesar Augustus Populo Romano." Others believe NCAPR abbreviates "Nummus Caesare Augusto Probatus" or "Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit" (probavit means approved). Excavations of the Meta Sudans and the northeastern slope of the Palatine Hill in Rome indicate that this countermark was applied for Nero's congiarium (distribution to the people) in 57 A.D., which supports the Populo Romano interpretation. Varieties of this relatively common countermark are identified by some authors as applied in either Italy, Spain or Gaul. The countermark is not found on coins bearing the name or portrait of Caligula. Clearly any coins of Caligula that were still in circulation and collected for application of the countermark were picked out and melted down, in accordance with his damnatio, rather than being countermarked and returned to circulation. A NCAPR countermark has, however, been found on a Vespasian dupondius which, if genuine and official, seems to indicate the N may refer to Nerva, not Nero.
RB16474. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC I Claudius 109, BMCRE I Claudius, 208, BnF II Claudius 108, Cohen I 8, SRCV I 1897; countermark: Pangerl p. 121, 60, VF, attractive burgundy and olive patina, some corrosion, weight 28.884 g, maximum diameter 35.1 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, posthumous, 42 - 43 A.D.; obverse NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, bare head left; countermark behind: NCAPR in a rectangular incuse punch; reverse TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, Claudius seated left on curule chair, togate, branch in right hand, surrounded by arms and shields, S C in exergue; SOLD




  



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REFERENCES|

Baker, R. "The Countermarks Found on Ancient Roman Coins: A Brief Introduction" in SAN XV (1984). pp. 52-58.
Barag, D. "The countermarks of the Legio Decima Fretensis" in Kindler Patterns. (Tel-Aviv, 1967).
Barag, D. & S. Qedar. "A Countermark of the Legio Quinta Scytica from the Jewish War" in INJ 13 (1994).
Howgego, C. Greek Imperial Countermarks. RNS, Special Publication No. 17. (London, 1985).
Kenyon, R. "The countermark PROB on coins of Claudius from Britain" in NC 148 (1988).
Martini, R. Nomismata 6: The Pangerl Collection Catalog and Commentary on the Countermarked Roman Imperial Coins. (Milan, 2003).
Mac Dowall, D. "Two Roman Countermarks of A.D. 68" in NC 1960, pp. 103 - 112, pl. VII.
McAlee, R. The Coins of Roman Antioch. (Lancaster, PA, 2007).
Rosenberger, M. The Rosenberger Israel Collection Volume IV: The Coinage of Eastern Palestine, and legionary countermarks, Bar-Kochba overstruck. (Jerusalem, 1978).
Seyrig, H. "Monnaies contremarquées en Syrie" in Syria 35 (1958), pp. 187-197.
Topalov, S. New Contributions to the Study of the Countermarking of Coins in the Area of the West Pontic Cities, 3rd - 1st c. B.C. (Sofia, 2002).
Werz, U. "Die Gegenstempel von Kalkriese und der Münzumlauf in frühtiberischer Zeit in der Germania inferior und superior" in Wiegels, p. 237 - 252.
Werz, U. Gegenstempel auf Reichs - und Provinzialprägungen der römischen Kaiserzeit - Katalog der Sammlung Dr. Konrad Bech, Mainz. (Speyer, 2004).

Catalog current as of Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
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