On the question of die
types I have kept records of all of Monnerons sales and have found numerous deviations for singular coin
types. The argument is made that many of the coins are similar but this is not describing them as 'the same', which clearly they are not. Surely this, as collectors, is what we are all about, the differences. You only have to look at the two Monneron sarmatias above to see there are clear differences. You could argue the point of manipulation of existing dies but this makes as little economic sense to the forger as the production of numerous initial die
types. It would be prohibitively expensive on this series of coins considering the return you are likely to get. Of course I do not dismiss the argument that he may well be taking the long term return option but it's a hell of a lot of outlay and
work for the return he would get. As an hourly rate he'd make more at the KWIK-E mart!
The question of the numerous
rarities contained within
his sales could easily be answered. IF they are hoarded material the amount of these would entirely depend on the size of the
hoard. In the Langtoft 2
hoard (at some 2000 pieces a modest
hoard) there was one
Crispus (Trier issue) that displayed a chi-ro on the
shield, how many of these have you seen? If Monnerons
hoard(s) is 10-20'000 + how many
rarities would you expect. Also if the
hoard(s),
as is entirely likely, has been found in
France you would expect
Arelate coinage at a greater rate than say
London issues.
Stylistically I have reservations about these coins,the Magnentius/Decentius issues more so but as I don't collect this period I'll bow to those that do. This is the most significant issue for me when discussing their
provenance. I cannot however reconcile the stylistic similarities when I take everything else into account. It
still comes down, for me, to the economic sense in producing this coinage. Far better as another contributor said if you have this level of skill to go for
Vitellius etc.
USE YOUR JUDGEMENT BUT CONSIDER ALL THE FACTS FIRST.
On another point, I am the gentleman that sold on the 'cleaned' monnerons and I would say to those that desribe me as 'peddler' etc, have a look at the original
auction prices as opposed to what I received for them. I think I made a profit on one coin, most I took a loss on. They were sold with leftovers from the Langtofts I originally acquired and others. I was quite happy to purchase these for my
collection. Explanation; I'm broke!! No surrreptitious motives but divorces are expensive undertakings!! Please pay due regard to what personal and slanderous statements you make without first having gained the facts behind such. Thank you.