Classical Numismatics Discussion Members' Coin Collection Photo Gallery

Image search results - "Imitative"

Celtic, Bastarnae Tribe, Thrace, c. 220 - 160 B.C., Imitative of Macedonian Kingdom Type

The Bastarnae were an important ancient people of uncertain, but probably mixed Germanic-Celtic-Sarmatian, ethnic origin, who lived between the Danube and the Dnieper (Strabo, Geography, VII, 3,17) during the last centuries B.C. and early centuries A.D. The etymology of their name is uncertain, but may mean 'mixed-bloods' (compare 'bastard'), as opposed to their neighbours the East Germanic Scirii, the 'clean-' or 'pure-bloods.'

32899. Bronze AE 16, imitative of SNG Cop 1299 (Macedonian Kingdom, time of Philip V and Perseus, 221 - 168 B.C.), Fair/Fine, 2.168g, 16.3mm, obverse Celtic-style bust of river-god Strymon right; reverse TridentCastvlo

Roman looking AE20 with Pietas reverse. Uncertain late Roman imitative coin. 4.65g.
David C13

ISLANDS off THRACE, Thasos. Circa 90-75 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.63 g, 12h). “Imitative” series. Head of young Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath / Herakles standing facing, head left, holding club in right hand, lion skin draped over left arm; monogram to inner left. Prokopov, Silberprägung, Group XII, 633 (V AC1/R 518); Le Rider, Thasiennes 52; HGC 6, 359. Toned, light deposits. VF.

From the Don T. Hayes Collection.
CNG 546 lot 56.Britanikus

2 Philip IRIC 70
Imitative?Sosius

268 - 270, Roman Imitative Antoninianus (Barbarous Radiate), produced in Britain and the continent. Struck in the name of CLAUDIUS IIObverse: Unclear partial inscription. Radiate head of Claudius II facing right.
Reverse: Unclear partial inscription. Crude depiction of Pax standing facing left, right arm outstretched in front of her holding branch. Struck off-centre.
Hoard find from Northern England.
Diameter: 15mm | Weight: 1.6gms | Die Axis: 4
SPINK: 749

The term 'barbarous radiates', dating from its use by antiquarians in the 19th century, is still often used to refer to the locally produced unofficial coins which imitated the official Roman antoninianii of the period. These coins were not struck by barbarians outwith the Empire as the name would suggest, nor were they intrinsically forgeries or fakes. Instead they were the result of a period of great instability within the Roman empire during which the western provinces especially often experienced a severe lack of coinage. To fill this void small denomination coinage was unofficially issued in very large numbers. Though some of these coins are fairly close copies of the official coins which they imitate, many others have been produced by die engravers who were patently illiterate and often of limited ability artistically as well. Around 274 Aurelian banned the use of these imitative bronzes when he reformed the currency but it is possible that some "barbarous radiates" were still being produced after that date. Whether individual coins are of British or Continental mintage can really only be ascertained by provenance.

*Alex

271 - 274, Roman Imitative Antoninianus (Barbarous Radiate), produced in Britain and the continent. Struck in the name of TETRICUS IObverse: (TETR)ICVS P F AVG. Radiate head of Tetricus I facing right.
Reverse: (PA)X AVGG Crude depiction of Pax standing facing left, right arm outstretched in front of her and holding vertical spear in her left.
From a hoard found in Northern England.
Diameter: 14mm | Weight: 1.6gms | Die Axis: 6
SPINK: 749

The term 'barbarous radiates', dating from its use by antiquarians in the 19th century, is still often used to refer to the locally produced unofficial coins which imitated the official Roman antoninianii of the period. These coins were not struck by barbarians outwith the Empire as the name would suggest, nor were they intrinsically forgeries or fakes. Instead they were the result of a period of great instability within the Roman empire during which the western provinces especially often experienced a severe lack of coinage. To fill this void small denomination coinage was unofficially issued in very large numbers. Though some of these coins are fairly close copies of the official coins which they imitate, many others have been produced by die engravers who were patently illiterate and often of limited ability artistically as well. Around 274 Aurelian banned the use of these imitative bronzes when he reformed the currency but it is possible that some "barbarous radiates" were still being produced after that date. Whether individual coins are of British or Continental mintage can really only be ascertained by provenance.

*Alex

271 - 274, Roman Imitative Antoninianus (Barbarous Radiate), produced in Britain and the continent. Struck in the name of TETRICUS II as CAESARObverse: Blundered legend - - IVES - -. Radiate bust of Tetricus II facing right.
Reverse: Likely (PIETA)S AVG. Sacrificial Implements.
From an uncertain British location.
Diameter: 14.5mm | Weight: 2.29gms | Die Axis: 2
SPINK: 749

The term 'barbarous radiates', dating from its use by antiquarians in the 19th century, is still often used to refer to the locally produced unofficial coins which imitated the official Roman antoninianii of the period. These coins were not struck by barbarians outwith the Empire as the name would suggest, nor were they intrinsically forgeries or fakes. Instead they were the result of a period of great instability within the Roman empire during which the western provinces especially often experienced a severe lack of coinage. To fill this void small denomination coinage was unofficially issued in very large numbers. Though some of these coins are fairly close copies of the official coins which they imitate, many others have been produced by die engravers who were patently illiterate and often of limited ability artistically as well. Around 274 Aurelian banned the use of these imitative bronzes when he reformed the currency but it is possible that some "barbarous radiates" were still being produced after that date. Whether individual coins are of British or Continental mintage can really only be ascertained by provenance.

*Alex

274, Roman Imitative Antoninianus (Barbarous Radiate), produced in Britain and the continent. Struck in the name of TETRICUS II as AUGUSTUSObverse: (IMP C TET)RICVS AG. Radiate bust of Tetricus II facing right, seen from behind.
Reverse: Struck from extremely worn reverse die which possibly depicts Salus feeding serpent arising from altar.
Diameter: 14mm | Weight: 1.7gms | Die Axis: 6
SPINK: 749
RARE

This is an irregular issue (barbarous radiate) giving Tetricus II the title of Augustus rather than Caesar.
Interestingly the Historia Augusta makes this statement with regard to Aurelian's triumph in A.D.274. "In the procession was Tetricus also, arrayed in a scarlet cloak, a yellow tunic, and Gallic trousers, and with him his son, whom he had proclaimed in Gaul as Imperator." (Historia Augusta, xxxiv, iii). Imperator was a title that invariably, when referring to an Imperial figure, implied the rank of Augustus, but no regular official coinage issues of Tetricus II citing him as such are known.

The term 'barbarous radiates', dating from its use by antiquarians in the 19th century, is still often used to refer to the locally produced unofficial coins which imitated the official Roman antoninianii of the period. These coins were not struck by barbarians outwith the Empire as the name would suggest, nor were they intrinsically forgeries or fakes. Instead they were the result of a period of great instability within the Roman empire during which the western provinces especially often experienced a severe lack of coinage. To fill this void small denomination coinage was unofficially issued in very large numbers. Though some of these coins are fairly close copies of the official coins which they imitate, many others have been produced by die engravers who were patently illiterate and often of limited ability artistically as well. Around 274 Aurelian banned the use of these imitative bronzes when he reformed the currency but it is possible that some "barbarous radiates" were still being produced after that date. Whether individual coins are of British or Continental mintage can really only be ascertained by provenance.

*Alex

843 - 855, IRREGULAR ISSUE, AE Styca, struck at York, EnglandObverse: + FGMVND (Wigmund) retrograde around group of five pellets in the form found on a dice. Cross pattée in legend.
Reverse: + EARDVVL retrograde around small cross with pellet in each of it's four angles. Cross pommée in legend. Moneyer: Eardwulf.
Diameter: 13mm | Weight: 1.16gms | Die Axis: Uncertain
SPINK: 872

This coin is an irregular issue which imitates an issue of Wigmund, who was Archbishop of York from around 837 to c.850, and the moneyer Eardwulf. Eardwulf was not a moneyer of regular coins for Wigmund so this coin is a bit of a concoction, something that is not uncommon with these irregular issues. Irregular stycas appear in a wide variety of types and a wide variety of imitative legends which are often blundered and sometimes completely unintelligible. The first appearance of the styca, a new style of small coin which replaced the earlier sceat, was at the beginning of the ninth century. Minted in York, several moneyers are named on the surviving coins, suggesting that they were struck in significant quantities. The written sources for late Northumbria are few, however the archaeological evidence from coinage is independent of the surviving annals and the evidence of Northumbrian coinage is particularly valuable when, in the ninth century, contemporary written evidence all but disappears.
These irregular issue coins were struck at a period of great instability in Northumbria. The last king to mint official stycas in any great quantity was Æthelred II who came to the throne around 841. Æthelred was assassinated around 848 and was succeeded by Osberht who was apparently killed in a battle with the Vikings around 867. The "Great Heathen Army" of Danish Vikings had marched on Northumbria in 866, they captured and sacked York towards the end of that year. Osberht was reputedly replaced as king by Ælla who is described in most sources as a tyrant, and not a rightful king, though one source states that he was Osberht's brother and fought and died alongside him. Evidence about Northumbrian royal chronology is unreliable prior to 867 and, though the beginning of Ælla's reign is traditionally dated to 862 or 863, his reign may not have begun until as late as 866. Ælla was apparently captured and killed by the Vikings, and after that the Vikings appointed one Ecgberht to rule Northumbria.
Official styca production ceased at some time during Osberht's reign although stycas remained in circulation until the Viking conquest of Northumbria in 867.

The Kingdom of Northumbria was a medieval Anglian kingdom in what is now Northern England and South-east Scotland. The name derives from the Old English Norþan-hymbre meaning "the people or province north of the Humber", Northumbria started to consolidate into one kingdom in the early seventh century when the two earlier territories of Deira and Bernicia united. At its height, the kingdom extended from the Humber Estuary in the south to the Firth of Forth (now in Scotland) in the north.
Northumbria ceased to be an independent kingdom in the mid-tenth century.*Alex

Barbaric imitative of Tetricus I, Similatr to RIC 126Obverse: IMP C TETRICVS PF AVG, radiated bust right.
Reverse: SALVS AVG, Salus standing left, holding patera in right hand and feeding snake rising from altar. In her left hand Salus holds a rudder or anchor.
14.8 mm., 1.9 g.
NORMAN K

JUSTINIAN I, AE Pentanummium (5 Nummi), struck 539 – 565 at an uncertain mintObverse: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing right.
Reverse: Large V within wreath.
Diameter: 13mm | Weight: 1.88gms | Die Axis: 6
SBCV: 337 | DOC: 369.1 | MIB: 246
Scarce

This coin issue is the same as the issue recorded as being struck at Rome by both Sear and Dumbarton Oaks (SBCV:309, DOC: 327) except that it is of a smaller module. This has caused some debate on the possibility of it being a derivative or imitative issue which was struck at some other Italian or Sicilian mint, so both SBCV and DOC have given it a different reference number from the one they have given to the larger module coins.
*Alex

Rhodos, Carian Islands, c. 188 - 84 B.C.Silver hemidrachm, cf. SNG Keckman 642 ff. (various magistrates and control symbols)Dexikrates, Fine/Fair, scratches, underweight (perhaps imitative), 0.905g, 13.0mm, 135o, Rhodos (Rhodes) mint, c. 188 - 84 B.C.; obverse radiate head of Helios facing slightly right; reverse rose with bud to right, P-O in fields, magistrates name above,ΔΕΞΙΚΡΑΤΗΣ, control symbol lower left, all within a shallow square incuse;7 commentsRandygeki(h2)

SOLD Thasos Dionysus Imitative Tetradrachm after 148 BC SOLDSOLD Obverse - Dionysus with flowers in his hair and head band.
32.15mm 16.67gm
Reverse- Herekles naked with chlamys cloak & club
M in left field
HPAKΛEOYΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ ΘAΣIΩN,
SOLD

cicerokid

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14
Æ Dupondius (25mm, 5.96 g, 1 h)
Balkans region. Imitating a Rome mint issue of an uncertain moneyer. Struck early 1st century AD.
Corrupt legend in two lines within wreath; two imitative countermarks
Large (retrograde S)CArdatirion

(05) CLAUDIUS (CERES)41 - 54 AD
AE 27 mm, 11.71 g
O: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TR P IMP Bare headed bust of Claudius left
R: CERES AVGVSTA; SC IN EXE. Seated figure of Ceres left wearing veil, holding corn ear in right hand and torch across knee with left hand.

(Probably an unofficial imitative; note backward S in CERES and backward C in the SC on reverse.)laney

(05) CLAUDIUS--QUADRANS (Hand)41 - 54 AD
AE QUADRANS 15 mm 2.20 g
Date: 41 AD
Obverse: Legend around hand left, holding pair of scales above P N R
Reverse: Legend around S dot C
(possibly barbarous imitative)laney

*IMITATION OTTOMAN Cedid MahmudiyeThis piece came in a bag of modern Foreign coins - 21 pounds! May be gold inside!!!
The dating did not seem right to me! From the experts at Zeno, I found a similar issue..... This attribution from Zeno:
Imitation of gold cedid mahmudiye (KM, Turkey #645) with distorted inscriptions and fantasy regnal year 78. Made for jewelry purposes throughout the 19th and early 20th century, very likely outside Turkey: similar imitations are met in abundance in South Russia and Ukraine, along the shores of Black and Azov seas, where they were widely used for adorning Gypsy and native Greek women's garments.

So, as you see, it is not exactly a FAKE or a COUNTERFEIT - it is an IMITATION, so the makers could not get into trouble. The regnal years alone would show that the coin was not "real" -

An interesting piece that may turn up from time to time!
dpaul7

005a6. ClaudiusClaudius
Imitative Sestertius
32mm, 12.5 g.
Claudius AE Sestertius. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head right / SPES AVGVSTA, S C in exergue, Spes walking left, holding flower and lifting hem of skirt.
Similar to RIC 115.

NOTE: Based on discussions on the Forum discussion board, these imitative sestertii were minted primarily in Britain, Spain, and Gaul to serve the need for local coinages. Some were countermarked with DV to indicate that they had the value of a dupondius. They reportedly are particularly common finds at military posts and in civilian settlements near those posts.lawrence c

052a28, PostumusAE Double Sestertius. Obv: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: LAETITIA AVG, Galley right with rowers. RIC 143, Cohen 179, Sear 11049. Naumann Auction 94, Lot 662. Possibly imitative.lawrence c

054a10. Claudius GothicusClaudius II Gothicus. Imitative of Salus reverse.lawrence c

064 - Septimius Severus Barbarous/Imitative DenariusObv:– IMP CAE L SEP SE_V PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:– BO...-ETOIVC, Fides standing left, basket of fruit in right hand, corn ears in left
Copies a coin minted in Emesa. A.D. 194-195
Reference:– cf RIC IV 369

Ex Zach Beastley (Beast) collectionmaridvnvm

064 - Septimius Severus Barbarous/Imitative DenariusObv:–IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:– T R P III IMP V COS II, Two captives seated at base of trophy
Copies a coin minted in Emesa. A.D. 194-195
Reference:– cf RIC IV 435maridvnvm

064 - Septimius Severus Barbarous/Imitative Denarius Obv:– IMP CAE L SEPT ERT AVT COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:– IOVL SER ?? AVG, Jupiter?, seated left
Copies an emesa mint issue1 commentsmaridvnvm

064 - Septimius Severus Barbarous/Imitative DenariusObv:– IMP C L SEPTIMIV - S AVG [....], Laureate bust right
Rev:– PACI AI - GOSTI, Securitas seated left, resting left arm on chair, holding globe in right handmaridvnvm

064 - Septimius Severus Barbarous/Imitative Denarius (Fouree)Barbarous Fouree Denarius
Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, laureate head right
Rev:– P M TR P III COS III?? P P, Mars advancing right carrying spear and trophy
Copies an Emesa issue coinmaridvnvm

115 - Postumus - Imitative AE As?Obv:- IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:- AMV above Galley, with rowers right, AMV below. Retrograde P to left?
cf. Bastien 310a-h (plate L = 50)

Atelier II

9.47 g. 25.42 mm maridvnvm

169 - Constans II - AE2 - Barbarous imitative of TrierAE2
Obv:- D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG, Laureate and rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust left, globe in right hand
Rev:- FII ITEPM IYTIIO, Helmeted soldier, spear in left hand, advancing right, head left; with his right hand he leads a small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath a tree. The spear points downwards, diagonally across soldier
Barbarous imitative of Trier; (// TRI )

4.84 gms. 21.56 mm. 180 degrees maridvnvm

172 - Decentius - AE3/4 - Barbarious imitativeBarbarious Imitative.
Obv:- [D N DECE]NTIVS NOB CAES, Bareheaded cuirassed bust right,
Rev:- FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Soldier spearing fallen horseman, who is seated on the ground reaching upwards, he is wearing a Phrygian cap
Minted in Barabrous (//PT). 1 commentsmaridvnvm

172 - Decentius - Barbarious AE MaiorinaBarbarious AE Maiorina.
Obv:- D N DECENTIVS NOB CAES, Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:- VICTORIAE DD NN AVG E CAE, two Victory's standing facing each other, between them holding a shield resting on a short column, inscribed VOT V MVLT + in four lines
Barabrous imitation of the mint of Amiens (S-V//branch AMB branch). A.D. 351-353
Reference(s) – Bastien pl. 17, 32; C.-; RIC -; LRBC -.

This interesting ancient imitative piece combines both the mintmark of the mint at Ambianum, and the reverse field letters S-V which are only found on issues of Lugdunum

3.13 g. 21.63 mm. 180 degrees maridvnvm

318-330 AD., Constantinus I., Trier mint imitative type, barbarous Follis, RIC p. 224.Constantinus (Constantine) I., Trier mint imitative type, officina 1, 318-330 AD.,
Follis / Æ3 (16-17 mm / 3,05 g),
Obv.: IMP CONSTANT - INVS AVG , cuirassed bust left, high crested helmet, spear in right hand over shoulder.
Rev.: [VIC]TORIAE LAETA PRINC IPF / STR (in exergue) , two Victories standing, facing each other and holding a shield inscribed VOT / PR on plain altar.
cf. http://www.beastcoins.com/Topical/VLPP/Coins/Imitative/VLPP-Trier-PTR-237.jpg ; cf. http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/barb2 .

Imitative Folles or "barbarous" bronze coins from this series are plentiful and range from extremely crude to nearly official in appearance. RIC footnotes as "irregular" or "semi-barbarous". On p. 224, Appendix to Trier, RIC describes and lists a number of "irregular" coins for the purpose of "illustrating the wide range of varieties known".

my ancient coin database
2 commentsArminius

A Parliament of Athens OwlsOld-style; Old-style with numerous bankers marks;
Pi-style, folded flan; Mesopotamia, Levant, Arabia, or Egypt Imitative;
Contemporary forgery with bankers mark and copper core showing.2 commentsNemonater

AE Hilt #03Luristan
1200-800 BC
70mm (2 3/4”)

Cf. Mahboubian (Art of Ancient Iran: Copper and Bronze), 387

Description:
This hilt, with broken blade, would have been part of a tiny imitation of a Luristani dagger. Such small imitative weapons are described by Houshang Mahboubian as surgical instruments. Mahboubian, who possesses what has been called “one of the most magnificent collections of early Iranian bronzes in the world,” illustrates a number of them in his book "Art of Ancient Iran: Copper and Bronze." Most of his examples have, as this one does, a double-eared pommel. At least one seller of a specimen similar to mine had a different interpretation. His listing read “Accurate miniature version of a typical Luristan dagger with double-eared pommel, long grip and lanceolate blade. The small scale is rare and points to a votive or ceremonial function of the item.” I would agree that some sort of symbolic or ritualistic function of these miniature "daggers" seems likely.
Kamnaskires

AE imitative, no refUnofficial mint, AE imitative, c. 2nd - 3rd century A.D. AE, 10mm .41g, no ref
O: Blundered legend, Radiate and bearded bust right
R: Blundered legend, figure standing l, holding uncertain objects
(possibly imitating Tetricus, but it looks like Claudius II to my eyes)
casata137ec

AE3 Imitative Imitative of coin in the style of Constans, Constantius Gallus or Constantius II

17mm., 2.16g.

Bust, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right

Inscription not read [perhaps some variation on FEL TEMP REPARATIO]. Soldier, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, spearing fallen horseman; horseman turning face to soldier, extending left arm

References:

AAFQ3 commentsRL

Alfred the Great. "Guthrum" Imitative Circumscription Cross Two-Line type Penny. Anglo-Dane. Alfred the Great ("Guthrum" Imitative). 871-899. AR Penny Canterbury style (1.52 gm, 20.4mm, 7h) Horizontal two line type, HP9P of Southern Danelaw. Circumscription cross, ✠AELFR-EDR-E. Peck marks around cross. / • EÐELV • INΞ ꟽỌ̇ • (Ethelwine, moneyer; ligated NE and inverted M). VF. Davissons EA 28 #71 aftersale. Spink SCBC 1066; North 635; Blackburn VII p.343 in Viking Coinage BNS 7 (2011), BNJ 59 (1989) p.33 #43.Anaximander

Ancient barbarous antoninianus of Tetricus (ca.270-280 AD), PAX type, hoard coin from FranceSTILL
[IMP C TET]RICVS PIC, radiate and draped bust right / PAX AVG, Pax standing left, holding branch and scepter. 16mm, 2.18 grams, nicer than the scan. Excellent quality for these. Found in a hoard in Northern France.
These coins with the figure on the reverse bent at the waist were manufactured in Normandy, though the exact sites of their production are unknown.

Ancient barbarous radiates seem to have been produced between the reigns of Claudius II and ca.274 AD, when Aurelian banned the circulation of these small imitative bronzes throughout the Empire. It is likely that at least some of the barbarous radiates were produced after 274 AD all the way into the early 280's. The value of the barbarous imitations was almost certainly not equal to their official counterparts - they probably saw only local limited circulation, and fulfilled the role of token coinage in times of an acute coin shortage.

Antonivs Protti

Ancient imitation of Constantius II (RIC Trier 358)Imitative AE (16 mm, 1.91 g) found in England. The official prototype was minted in Trier (Constantius II RIC Trier 358) during the period 337-361 AD. Obverse: diademed bust right, (...)AVIIO. Reverse: Soldier spearing fallen horseman, (...)RATIO, TRS in exergue.1 commentsJan

Ancient imitative, Saturn/ProwRoman Republican, 1st Century B.C., Ancient Imitative. Bronze semis, cf. Crawford 339/2 (official, Rome mint), VF, porous dark patina, 3.598g, 16.7mm, 0o, obverse head of Saturn right; reverse , prow right. An unofficial imitative of a late anonymous issue. ex FORVMPodiceps

Anonymous; Imitative; Saturn/ Prow, SC aboveI am by no means sure about the identification, but this appears similar to some Spanish? imitatives of Late Roman Republic Semis, c. 100 B.C. - 50 A.D.
The use of SC may suggest a muddling of late Republican types with those of Augustus or a later Emperor. Laureate head of Saturn right; reverse SC above, Prow right, ROMA below.
-Those who know better, please, leave a commentPodiceps

Apollonia Pontica Drachm - Thracian ImitationAnd now I have 6 of these from the same broken reverse die. Two of these were Forum purchases, one of which Dr. Prokopov has identified this as a tribal (Celtic?) imitative.Jaimelai

Apollonia Pontica Topalov 45i - Silver Drachm 450-424 or 410/404 B.C.
2.84 gm, 14.2 mm
Obv: Gorgon head facing, snaky ringlets circle face.
Rev.: Anchor; A to left, crayfish to right
Topalov Apollonia p. 588, 45 var.; p.348, 9
Sear 1655var; BMC Mysia p.9, 11

Topalov Type: "Full-Face Gorgon's Head – Upright Anchor, a crab on the right, the letter A on the left or the letter A on the right and a crab on the left" Main Issue (450-424 or 410/404 B.C.)
Obv.: Full-face Gorgon's head in the classical Attic style. Gorgon's features are noble in conformity with the Attic manner of portraying her and Gorgon has more human hair in addition to the snakes.
Rev.: Upright anchor with large flukes, the letter A on one side, a crab as an additional symbol viewed from above on the other side. The image in a concave circle.

Forvm purchase (GS55520) - Dr. Prokopov has identified this as a tribal (Celtic?) imitative. This is my fourth coin with from the same cracked reverse die. There appears to be three different obverse dies though.
Jaimelai

AR Tetradrachm of Thasos, Roman imitative 148 -80 BCOBV: Head of Dionysos right wreathed with ivy leaves
REV :HPAKLEOYS SUTHPOS THASIUN (Hercules, Saviour of the Thasians); nude Heracles standing left holding club and lionskin; MH monogram to left
SNG Cop 1040, Dewing 1344, BMC 74 (Ref. Wildwinds)
These tet's were minted on Thasos off the coast of Thrace, and became an important international medium of exchange after Rome closed the Macedonian mints. The obverse celebrates the wine for which Thasos was renowned and the reverse may refer to a temple of Heracles. The type was widely copied among the Thracian tribes (imitatives) and the Celts (barbaric types).
According to Dr. Prokopov this coin is probably a Roman imitative, struck by Roman authorities between 148 and 80 BC, hence the fine classical style. The weight is right for the Rhodian standard. Holed and plugged.

Diameter ~30 mm, wt. 13.7 gmdaverino

Archbishop of Canterbury, CeolnothStruck c.865-868AD Kent, Canterbury mint. AR Penny 1.20g Ceolnoth Group III. Floriated Cross type. Obv tonsured bust facing, breaking inner circle 'ARCHIEP- CEOLNOD'; Rev 'BIARNRED MONETA' (Moneyer Beornraed) around, in inner circle a floriated cross. S.895? (Group III) N.247.

There are 58 recorded coins of Ceolnoth at the SCBI/EMC but only 3 coins of this moneyer for him. He also struck 6 more recorded coins for Alfred, Edward the Elder and some Danish imitative Alfred coins from East Anglia. This actual type is not listed in the corpus. However, a fragment at the British Museum, see BNJ28 CE Blunt 'A new coin of Ceolnoth' and JJ North plate III/9, is likely the same. Infact, I believe these coins are of the same dies and moneyer. Blunt & North describe 'LD' in the fragmented moneyer legend though it is likely 'ED' with the top half of the 'E' missing at the break. The Floriated Cross design is also found on coins of Aethelberht for the moneyers Dudda and Oshere but only 4 on database (N.621). In superb condition, a single find from the Driffield area in Yorkshire. This coin is potentially the only complete specimum and should be considered a great rarity. It is now recorded in the 2011 'The Coinage of Southern England' by Rory Naismith, Volume 1 Plate 65 C218.2b.

Gareth Williams at the British Museum kindly commented:

'I agree with your reading of the coin, and think that it is probably from the same dies as our fragment 1947, 14-4, 6, as you suggest, although it's difficult to be absolutely certain - the angle of the D on the reverse in particular looks slightly different, but that may just be the lighting on the photograph'

Rory Naismith from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is studying the period for his PhD dissertation. He kindly commented as below:

'The Ceolnoth in particular is quite spectacular: not only is it, as you say, the only known whole floreate cross penny of Ceolnoth, but it is also a stunning coin of considerable historical importance. There is some reason to believe that it was found as part of a small hoard comprising at least three floreate cross pennies, the other two both being of Aethelberht by the moneyer Dudda. One is unfortunately only a small fragment, but the other is beautifully preserved. As the only known hoard of floreate cross coins, this is understandably a find of some significance, although it is odd to find it deposited so far north. A trawl through the BM and as many other catalogues and find records as I could find turned up only a total of nineteen floreate cross pennies, including yours, struck by seven moneyers. It was probably a lot larger than this meagre record seems to suggest: were it not for the large Dorking hoard of 1817 the preceding Inscribed Cross phase would be almost as little-known, and many moneyers who produced this type reappeared in the Lunettes coinage, so they may well have continued over the intervening period as well'.

The initial coinage of Group III has as the reverse motif a cross crosslet with pellets in the angles [coin 1, illustrated above]. Those of Ceolnoth are of good style and feature a neater tonsured bust of the archbishop possibly wearing his pallium. Those of Aethelwulf for the same period, Phase II at Canterbury, tend to have a rather crude right facing bust with thick lettering in the legend - although a few are of better style. Not all of Aethelwulf's coins of this type have pellets in the angles of the cross crosslet. This type was struck until c.852, when it was replaced by a coinage that was to become standard at Canterbury throughout the remainder of Aethelwulf's reign and the majority of the reign of his son Aethelberht. The Inscribed Cross coinage, struck only by Ceolnoth and the two aforementioned kings, have an identical reverse with a large voided cross that contains the moneyers name within and in the angles. Comparitively large numbers of these coins survive and they have been the subject of much study with regard to dating, reduced silver content and so on. Toward the end of his reign, c.854, Aethelberht minted a new coinage mirrored by Ceolnoth, the extremely rare Floriate Cross issue. These coins as would be expected have a large floriated cross on the reverse and had a very limited striking - perhaps as little as a year. Less than ten examples survive today for the king and archbishop. Illustrated below is the only known complete example of the Floriate Cross type of archbishop Ceolnoth.

AlexB

As (struck in Hispania or Gaul; possibly unofficial); Minerva; cf. RIC I 100Claudius, 25 January 41 - 13 October 54 A.D. Copper as, cf. RIC I 100, SRCV I 1861 and BMCRE I 149 (Rome mint), VF, green patina, western provincial mint, 9.744g, 29.3mm, 180o, 41 - 42 A.D.; obverse TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, bare head left; reverse S C, Minerva advancing right brandishing javelin in right, shield in left; double-struck, old cut on obverse, possibly an unofficial imitative. Many Claudius sestertii and asses, such as this coin, were clearly not products of the Rome mint. They appear to have been struck in Hispania or Gaul. The coins may have been official or perhaps unofficial imitations. Ex FORVMPodiceps

AsperByzantine silver, Trebizond Empire, John II, 1280-1297 AD, AR Asper

Obverse: St. Eugenius stanidng holding long cross

Reverse: John standing holding labarum and akakia

Diameter approx 23.5 mm,

EMPIRE of TREBIZOND. John II. 1280-1297. AR Asper (2.75 g, 7h). Imitative issue. St. Eugenius, nimbate, standing facing, holding long cross with cross bar on shaft / John standing facing, holding lily-headed sceptre and globus cruciger. Cf. Retowski 16 (same obverse die); cf. SB 2609. Good VF, typical weak strike. ($200)

Retowski's aspers of his group B, section 1 have several anomalous features that set them apart from the normal series. On this one example, the cross held by St. Eugenius has a lower cross bar, not seen on any other example. Most of the Group B, 1 specimens have the saint's name ending in IOV, rather than the IOC or IO seen on standard varieties. On the reverse the emperor's cloak is shown as a single cross-hatched panel lacking the normal decorated chlamys end tied around his waist. In addition, on this unique example the emperor holds a lily-headed sceptre, rather than one with a labarum as on every other type. The lily sceptre does not appear elsewhere in the Trebizond series, but does occasionally show as an attribute in the Bulgarian royal series. See a bronze of Mitso Asen (1256-1263), Radishev p. 93. This coin, and others in group B, 1 are probably imitative issues copying Trebizond types, and may have been struck anywhere along the north shore of the Black Sea, where the Tartar Khanates ruled, occasionally holding the Bulgarian kings as their vassals.

http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=107443&AucID=121&Lot=1136
1 commentsAlexios

AVG and TI•CAE BALKAN imitation of Augustus' moneyers' series Æ Dupondius. Æ 23. 1st century A.D. Obv: Blundered legend within oak-wreath; 2 countermarks. Rev: Blundered legend around large S.C, all inverted. Axis: 360°. Weight: 6.82 g. CM(1): AVG (inverted), in rectangular punch, 9 x 5 mm. Cf. Howgego 577. CM(2): TI•CÆ (inverted), in rectangular punch, 4 x 7.5 mm. Cf. Howgego 602. Note: Interestingly, not only the coin is imitative, but also the countermarks, which are inverted version of the commonly encountered TICAE and AVG countermarks. Collection Automan.Automan

B. Brockage: British (?) Imitative Constantinian AE Minimus (10mm, 0.43g)Roman Britain (Roman Imperial, “Barbarous” Contemporary Imitative). Constantinian (?) AE Minimus (10mm, 0.43g, 12h), obverse brockage, c. 330-340s (?).
Obv: Pearl-diademed, cuirassed bust right. Rev: Incuse image of obv.
Ref: Cf. Bishops Canning 392, Chapmanslade 699, Maidenhatch 69-71 for imitations of Trier & Lugdunum mint GLORIA EXERCITVS types.
Prov: Ex Martin Wettmark Collection (acq. eBay USA, April 2017; CNG EA 525 [19 Oct 2022], 1835).

Notes: Very small even for a British imitative, but not unheard of (judging from the 877 imitations in the Chapmanslade hoard, perhaps 1 or 2% this small). Roughly comparable in style & fabric to the Trier/Lugdunum imitations found in the 1993 Chapmanslade Hoard & 1989 Nether Compton (Dorset) Hoard (deposited 339 CE). Aside from some Byzantine era Trachy, this is by far the lightest brockage of bronze of a coin that I’ve found (certainly for the Roman Imperial period, including imitations).

On brockages, see Nurpetlian (NC 2018, 2019), "Brockage Coins" [https://www.jstor.org/stable/45176685] & "Numismatic Mutants" [https://www.jstor.org/stable/45288605].Curtis JJ

Barbarian imitative late Roman coin, two soldiers Barbaric imitative most likely of Constantine The Great.
Obverse : Helmeted bust left with illerate legend.
Reverse : Two soldiers and standard with Illiterate legend and ex.
15 mm diam., 2.5 g
sold 4-2018NORMAN K

Barbaric Alexander TetradrachmSilver tetradrachm, uncertain (tribal?) mint, c. 3rd - 2nd Century B.C.
O: head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin headdress;
R: Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on throne without back, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, eagle in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, AÎ›EÎžANâˆ†POY downward on right, wreath to left; X below throne
-cf. Price B36 ff. (barbarous, uncertain prototypes); Obverse die match to CNG E- Auction 190 lot 42

Price (p. 506) notes that the ‘barbarous’ copies of Alexander III tetradrachms differ from contemporary imitations in that they were meant not to defraud but rather to provide coinages for the local economies in areas on the fringes of the classical world.

Many Greek cities across what was once Alexander's empire struck Alexander tetradrachms as civic coinage, even centuries after the death of the great conqueror. Similarly, peoples on the fringes of the Greek world also struck Alexander tetradrachms; sometimes with unusual or bizarre style, and often with illiterate blundered inscriptions. These coins are often described as "barbaric." We can attribute some of these imitative types to specific places or tribes. Other coins, such as this one, are a mystery. - FAC2 commentsNemonater

Barbaric Counterfeit: Apis bullJulian II 'the Apostate,' February 360 - 26 June 363 A.D., Barbaric Counterfeit. 21530. Bronze AE 1, ancient counterfeit imitative of SRCV 4074, Fair, unofficial mint, 6.622g, 24.5mm, 90o, after 361 A.D.; obverse [D N FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG], diademed draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse SECVRITAS REIPVB, Apis bull right, two stars above horns. Ex FORVMPodiceps

Barbaric imitative late roman coinLegend not legible but appears to be a coin in the Constantine era.
Obverse has a right facing bust
Reverse has a soldier spearing a fallen horseman
21.8 mm, 4.3 g.NORMAN K

Barbaric imitative of Tetricus I Hilaritas Antoninianus. AE20mm. C 270-273ADBarbaric imitative of Tetricus I Hilaritas Antoninianus.
Obv. Blundered legend. Radiate, cuirassed bust right
Rev. Blundered legend. Hilaritas standing left, holding long palm and cornucopiae.
( I like the almost official look of this coin, only given away by the nonsensical legends..) Lee S

Barbaric imitative of Tetricus I PAX AVG Antoninianus. C 270-273AD. AE17mm. Barbaric imitative of Tetricus I PAX AVG Antoninianus. C 270-273AD
Obv. Blundered legend. Radiate, cuirassed bust right.
Rev. Blundered legend, Pax, standing left, holding olive branch and vertical sceptre.Lee S

Barbaric imitative of Tetricus I SPES PVBLICA. AE 15mm. C271 AD.Barbaric imitation of Imitative of Tetricus I SPES PVBLICA. C.271 AD.

Obv. radiate draped bust right

Rev. SPES PVBLICA, Spes walking left, holding flower in right hand and raising robe with left hand.

Uk Find.

1 commentsLee S

Barbaric Imitative Tetricus Tetricus I AE Antoninianus, IMP C TETRICVS PF AVG,radiate bust right / LAETITIA AVGG, unofficial mint, 271-273 C.E.
16.1 mm, 1.8 g.NORMAN K

Barbaric Imitative Tetricus Similar to RIC VII 86 Gallic mint, 270-273 CEObverse: IMP TETRICVS PF AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: LAETITIA AVG, Laetitia standing left, holding wreath and anchor.
14.5 mm., .8 g.
NORMAN K

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE4th Century AD
Barbarous imitative of Constantinian Fel Temp Reparatio fallen horseman type
O: Bust right
R: Soldier spearing fallen horseman
AE 21 mm, 4.89 g
laney

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE BARBAROUS IMITATIVE, FALLEN HORSEMAN
4th Century AD
Imitative of Constantinian dynasty FEL TEMP REPARATIO type
AE 21 mm, 4.89 g
O: Bust right
R: Soldier spearing fallen horseman laney

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE4th Century AD
AE
Barbarous imitation of VICTORIAE LAETAE type
AE 17 mm, 2.61 g
O: Helmeted, cuirassed bust right, blundered legend
R:Two Victories placing inscribed shield on altar, blundered legend.laney

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE BARBAROUS IMITATIVE, FALLEN HORSEMAN
4th Century AD
Crude Imitative of Constantinian dynasty FEL TEMP REPARATIO type
AE 11 mm, 0.92 g
O: Bust right
R: Soldier spearing fallen horseman laney

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE BARBAROUS IMITATIVE, FALLEN HORSEMAN
4th Century AD
Imitative of Constantinian dynasty FEL TEMP REPARATIO type
AE 18 X 20 mm, 3.08 g
O: Bust right
R: Soldier spearing fallen horseman laney

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE4th Century AD.
Barbarous imitation of GLORIA EXERCITUS type.
AE 16 mm, 1.87 g
O: Bust right
R: Two soldiers standing on either side of single standardlaney

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE, FALLEN HORSEMAN4th Century AD
Crude Barbarous Imitative of Constantinian Dynasty FEL TEMP REPARATIO type
AE 12.5 mm, 0.73 g
O: Head right
R: Soldier spearing fallen horsemanlaney

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE, FALLEN HORSEMAN4th Century AD
AE 11 mm, 1.23 g
Crude Barbarous Imitative of Constantinian Dynasty FEL TEMP REPARATIO type
O: Head right
R: Soldier spearing fallen horsemanlaney

BARBAROUS IMITATIVE, FALLEN HORSEMANBARBAROUS IMITATIVE, FALLEN HORSEMAN
4th Century AD
Crude Barbarous Imitative of Constantinian Dynasty FEL TEMP REPARATIO type
AE 15.5 mm, 1.26 g
O: Head right
R: Soldier spearing fallen horseman
Blundered legends both sides.laney

Barbarous imitative, no refUnofficial mint, Barbarous imitative, c. 2nd - 3rd century A.D. AE, 11mm 1.56g, no ref
O: Blundered legend, cuirassed (?), draped (?), and diademed bust right
R: Blundered legend, figure facing, holding wreath to left, possibly holding a winged victory to right
1 commentscasata137ec

Barbarous Imitative, VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERPConstantine the Great Barbarous Imitative. Bronze barbarous AE 3, cf. RIC VII 47 ff. (official, Siscia mint), F, barbarous mint, 3.956g, 18.4mm, 270o, after 318 A.D.; obverse IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG (blundered), laureate, helmeted and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP (blundered), two Victories holding shield over altar. This type was minted by and used as currency by tribes outside the Roman empire. It copied a type issued under Constantine the Great from the Siscia mint. ex FORVM, photo credit FORVMPodiceps

Barbarous Imitative, VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERPConstantine the Great, early 307 - 22 May 337 A.D., Barbarous Imitative. Bronze barbarous AE 3, cf. RIC VII 47 ff. (official, Siscia mint), VF, barbarous mint, 3.348g, 18.2mm, 0o, after 318 A.D.; obverse IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG (blundered), laureate, helmeted and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP (blundered), two Victories holding shield over altar. Ex FORVMPodiceps

Barbarous Imitative, VIRTVS EXERCIT, two captivesCrispus, Caesar 317 - 326 A.D., Barbarous Imitative. Bronze AE 3, cf. RIC VII 111 and similar (official, Siscia mint, 320 A.D.), F, 2.468g, 18.7mm, 226o, obverse blundered IVL CRISPVS NOB CAES, laureate and cuirassed bust left holding spear in right, shield on left shoulder; reverse blundered VIRTVS EXERCIT, two captives on either sides of a standard, blundered mintmark in ex. Ex FORVMPodiceps

Barbarous RadiateUnofficial mint, Barbarous Radiate, c 3rd-4th century A.D., 14mm 0.45g
O: Radiate, draped, (cuirassed?) bust r.
R: Pax (highly stylized), draped, standing l., holding long scepter in her l. hand, olive-branch in her raised r. hand.

casata137ec

BARBAROUS RADIATE3rd Century AD
Barbarous imitative of 3rd century radiate
AE 12 mm, 0.96 g
O: Radiate head right
R: Uncertainlaney

BARBAROUS RADIATE3rd Century AD
Barbarous imitative in the style of Claudius II Gothicus
AE 13 mm, 0.91 g
O: Radiate bust right
R: Altarlaney

Barbarous Radiate ImitativeBarbarous Radiate, Imitative of Roman Empire. Bronze barbarous radiate, aVF, 0.636g, 14.3mm, 90o; Ex FORVMPodiceps

BCC J65 Antonius Felix Procurator under CaudiusJudaea AE Prutah
Antonius Felix, procurator
under Claudius 52-59 C.E.
Obv: NEPW KΛAY KAICAP
(Nero Claudius Caesar, son of Claudius).
Inscription around two crossed shields
and spears.
Rev: BPIT (Britannicus, second son of
Claudius). Inscription above six-branched
palm tree bearing dates. Across field, L-IΔ
KAI (year 14 of Caesar). Struck in 54 CE.
16.5mm. 1.64gm. Axis:~180
Possible imitative issue overstruck on a
defective flan. Hendin 1348.
Surface find Caesarea Maritima, 1972
J. Berlin Caesarea Collection
(click for larger pic)v-drome

Béla III. scyphate AE follisimitative islamic scripts on both sides
1172-1196 A.D.1 commentsTibsi

Bulgaria, Imitative of Alexis III, Billon Aspron Trachy, Hendy type CBulgaria, Imitative of Alexis III, Billon Aspron Trachy, c. 1204 - 1220 A.D. Bronze aspron trachy nomisma, Hendy, p. 218, Type C, pl. 25, 2(B) (imitative of SBCV 2012 of Alexis III, 1195 - 1203 A.D.), VF, 2.419g, 28.5mm, 180o, obverse + KERO H“Q”EI (or similar), beardless nimbate bust of Christ, wearing tunic and colobion, scroll in left, IC - XC across fields; reverse “LLESI”W“ DE”C“P Q T”W“ KOMNHN”W (or similar), emperor, on left, and St. Constantine, nimbate on right, standing facing, each holds a labarum headed scepter and they hold a globus cruciger between them. Greek magnates in Thrace probably issued the earliest 'Bulgarian' imitative types in the years immediately following the fall of Constantinople to finance their military operations against the crusaders in northern Greece. When the Bulgarians gained control of Thrace they continued production until sometime between 1215 and 1220, with issues becoming increasingly crude and smaller. Ex FORVM, photo credit FORVMPodiceps

Bulgarian imitative type ABillon aspron trachy, weight 2.13g., diameter 25mm. Contemporary imitative, from the early years of the 13th century, and probably minted in Thrace. Type A copies the one of the official trachea types of Manuel I (Sear 1966).Abu Galyon

Bulgarian imitative type CBillon aspron trachy, weight 2.9g., diameter 27mm. Contemporary imitative, from the early years of the 13th century, and probably minted in Thrace. Type C copies the official trachea of Alexius III (Sear 2011-2012-2013). Abu Galyon

Bulgarian Second Empire. Scyphate Trachy.Crusader Imitation. Bulgaria, Second Empire, Petar IV-Ivan I. 1185-1207 AD. Imitative Æ Trachy (2.56 gm, 28.3mm, 6h) of Veroja (?). The Virgin Mary ("Theotokos"), nimbate, seated on throne, wearing tunic and maphorion, holding head of Christ. [MP]-[ΘV] / Emperor standing, facing, holding sceptre & akakia. aVF. Imitative trachy based on Byzantine Aspron Trachy of Isaac II Angelus (1185-1195, 1203-1204). Bt. Gables Coin, 1999, sold as Latin Empire of Constantinople, 4th Crusade. cf. Sear Byzantine #2003 (for Byzantine prototype). Raduchev & Zhekov 1.1.3; DOC Type B, 2.Anaximander

Byzantine Anonymous Follis: Class A1 - Imitative [001]6.88 grams
26.3 mm
Imitative anonymous follis imitating the official Class A type under John I. Possibly of Balkan, or Asia Minor origin. Struck ca. 970 – 980 AD. Double struck, with crude, retrograde, and/or blundered legends on both obverse and reverse.

See Lampinen Imitative p. 154 for a similar imitative pieces where he writes, "The second phase of Balkan coinage production goes into high gear with the introduction of the anonymous follis series during the reign of John I (969 - 976). The explicit Christian imagery must have struck a chord with the recently converted Balkan masses because the official mint issues were accompanied by a fair quantity of copies, to meet the excess demand. These Christian issues would also be the prototypes for the initial coinage of several medieval Christian states, such as the first Crusader issues of Edessa and Antioch, medieval Armenia and distant Georgia in the Caucasus."
(photo and comments courtesy FORVM Ancient Coins)
cmcdon0923

Byzantine Anonymous Follis: Class A1 - Imitative [002]6.03 grams
24.8 mm
Imitative anonymous follis imitating the official Class A type under John I. Possibly of Balkan, or Asia Minor origin. Struck ca. 970 – 980 AD. Double struck, with crude, retrograde, and/or blundered legends on both obverse and reverse.

See Lampinen Imitative p. 154 for a similar imitative pieces where he writes, "The second phase of Balkan coinage production goes into high gear with the introduction of the anonymous follis series during the reign of John I (969 - 976). The explicit Christian imagery must have struck a chord with the recently converted Balkan masses because the official mint issues were accompanied by a fair quantity of copies, to meet the excess demand. These Christian issues would also be the prototypes for the initial coinage of several medieval Christian states, such as the first Crusader issues of Edessa and Antioch, medieval Armenia and distant Georgia in the Caucasus."
(photo and comments courtesy FORVM Ancient Coins)cmcdon0923

Byzantine Empire: Justin II (565-578) Æ Nummus, Antioch? (Sear 387; DOC 149; MIBE 66)Obv: Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Justin II right
Rev: Monogram within circular border

A seemingly unrecorded monogram for the issue, thus perhaps imitative. Additionally, the official issue does not have the linear border on the reverse.Quant.Geek

C. Countermark: NCAPR on Imitative (?) Claudius Sestertius, stamped under Nero (?)Photo sources (edited): CNG (coin) & A. Kowsky (tag) [LINK]
Roman Imperial (Imitative, Pseudo-Imperial [?]). Claudius AE Sestertius (35mm, 21.84g, 6h), Contemporary imitation (?) or Western “Branch Mint,” c. 41/2 CE (host coin), temp. Nero, c. 54-68 CE (countermark). Obv: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP. Laureate head right; behind, countermark "NCAPR" downward. Rev: SPES AVGVSTA S C. Spes, draped, advancing left, holding flower in right hand and raising skirt with left.

Ref (host coin): Cf. RIC (I) 99 (for Rome mint issue); RPC (I) 1958 (for Eastern mint). Ref (countermark): Martini-Pangerl Nos. 1 & 60 [Nvmmvs? Caesare? Avgvsto? PRobatvs?] (available: http://www.romancoins.info/Countermarks.html); BMCRE (1) pp. xxxi, xxxiv; Baker (SAN 1984) Cat. 2b, p. 54 [LINK]; Kraay, "The Behavior of Early Imperial Countermarks” (in Essays Mattingly, 1956), pp. 132ff; Museum of Roman Countermarks [Andreas Pangerl, w/ R. Baker], “Nero & Later” [LINK]

Provenance: Ex-Richard Baker Countermark Collection, CNG EA 439 (6 Mar 2019), Lot 224; Al Kowsky Collection, CNG EA 483 (6 Jan 2021), Lot 408 (CT Thread 334702 [LINK]); NGC Ancients, 2101304-007 [LINK].
Prov. Notes: Between 1981 and 2011, Los Angeles-area collector Richard Baker formed one of the best-known and most important private collections of Roman countermark coins. Much of it is published alongside Andreas Pangerl's on his "Museum of Roman Countermarks" website (linked above). Baker published the 1984 article, "Countermarks Found On Ancient Roman Coins: A Brief Introduction," in SAN: Journal of the Society for Ancient Numismatics vol. XV, No. 3 [LINK]. His countermark coll. was sold by CNG over several auctions in 2018 and 2019 (more coins, incl. Greek, Roman, Byzantine without countermarks, appearing through 2022).

Numis. Notes: One of the most common countermarks on Roman Imperial bronzes; also the source of unanswered questions & controversy. "NCAPR" is probably a "validating countermark," indicating that worn Sestertii from previous reigns & certain imitative copies would be sanctioned for continuing use as official currency. (Imitations were especially common & important in the reign of Claudius due to an Empire-wide shortage of bronze coinage in the provinces. This countermark, found on official & unofficial coins alike, shows a policy of open toleration for -- even reliance upon -- such local imitations.)
Most catalogers and authors accept Nero's reign as the period of counter-stamping (whether the "N" is for Nero is less certain). There has been suggestion of a later date based on a single Vespasian AE As with the countermark (probably Pangerl 60h). Such a revision is probably too much weight for a single specimen not widely published, and has not been widely acknowledged.
On the vast majority of coins, the countermark is placed on the obverse, in the field behind the bust. Occasionally, it is found on the reverse (especially for coins w/ no obv. bust). Rarely, it appears in front of the obverse bust.Curtis JJ

Cast Potin coin of the Leuci TribeCast Potin coin of the Leuci Tribe minted in Gaul between 60-40 BC. 19 mm, 3.94 g.

Obverse: Bald head left

Reverse: Boar standing right, three rounded arcs below (I have a suspicion that this is imitative of the 'twins suckling the she-wolf' Roman coins but nothing to back that up.

Attribution: Latour 9044; Scheers XXIII-670; CCCBM 426-432chuy1530

Celtic imitative tetradrachmDanube Celtic imitative tetradrachm,
14.8 g

CELTIC, Danubian Celt drachmCeltic Imitative drachm of Alexander & Seated Zeus holding Staff & Eagle

CELTIC, IMITATIVE (OF ALEXANDER III OF MACEDON)AE 15 mm; 2.62 g
O: Head of Herakles wearing lionskin headdress knotted at throat, right
R: Club and bowcase (reverse is slightly concave)laney

CELTIC, Imitative Greek silver drachm of Philip III.2.6 gm 17 mm Struck 100-50 BC.
Anepigraphic obverse with stylized head of Philip III, right.
Reverse: Zeus seated left on backless throne, his legs parallel; holding eagle and sceptre. Inscription to right.
Attibuted to Pannonian (Thracian) Celts.

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