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Roman Imitatives

Ruler(s)/ Period: Claudius
Denomination: Countermarked imitative Sestertius
Date of Issue: after 41 AD
Obverse: Laureate Head Right, DV Countermark on neck
Reverse: Spes advancing left holding flower. "SPES AVGVSTA" Should be "SC" in exergue?
Reference: RIC 99 (if it was official)
Weight: 13.8 gms
Diameter: 30.0 mm

Comment

Far-flung outposts of the Roman Empire in the first century were often short of lower denomination coins. Imitative coins such as this Sestertius are frequently found around Roman forts in places like Britain. To alleviate the shortage, very worn coins with a countermark to re-validate them or give them a new value, were shipped to distant colonies. Even imitatives were used and this one has been countermarked "DV" to re-value it as a Dupondius.

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R10730i