NCAPRThe countermark NCAPR was applied to numerous orichalcum coins of the reigns of Tiberius and Claudius. NCAPR is usually explained as "Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit" (probavit means approved) or "Nero Caesar Augustus Populo Romano." Different subtypes of this relatively common countermark are identified by various 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. The NCAPR countermark has been found on a Vespasian dupondius which seems to indicate the N refers to Nerva, not Nero.
| NCAPRThe countermark NCAPR was applied to numerous orichalcum coins of the reigns of Tiberius and Claudius. NCAPR is usually explained as "Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit" (probavit means approved) or "Nero Caesar Augustus Populo Romano." Different subtypes of this relatively common countermark are identified by various 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. The NCAPR countermark has been found on a Vespasian dupondius which seems to indicate the N refers to Nerva, not Nero.
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