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Obolos 13

15 June 2019
Webauction
overview
Starting Price: 50 CHF
Hammer Price:  200 CHF
Lot 593

ASIA MINOR. Uncertain. Circa 215 and circa 219. (Bronze, 26.5 mm, 6.31 g), a Provincial bronze coin, probably of the late 1st or early 2nd century, worn almost flat and countermarked twice. On the left, circular deeply struck countermark containing a large, laureate and draped bust of Caracalla to right, encircled by AYT ANTΩΝΕΙΝΟC and a dotted border; on the right circular lightly struck countermark containing a tall and thin laureate, draped and cuirassed (?) bust of Elagabalus ( or Caracalla?) to right, encircled by AYT ANTΩΝΕΙΝΟC. Rev. Worn flat. For the countermark on the left, Howgego 40; no true parallel for the countermark on the right. Very interesting countermarks, especially since both have an imperial portrait and inscription. Original coin, worn to illegibility; countermarks, good fine.



This fascinating coin shows how a lack of newly minted small change resulted in the re-use of coins that were so old that nearly all traces of their original types were worn away; they were then countermarked to validate their continued circulation at a value commensurate with their size. What is really intriguing about this piece is that it was countermarked twice: the first, on the left, was strongly struck and has an indent with a rather solid, adult bust of an emperor; the second indent, which is equally carefully placed, but much more lightly struck, shows us the bust of a much more youthful and slim emperor. Both marks seem to bear the same inscription. Thus, if the order of striking proposed here is correct - with an older portrait preceding a more youthful one, and both with the same legend - the only possibility is that one was struck under Caracalla and other under Elagabalus.

Online bidding closes: 2 Jul 2019, 20:56:30 CEST Current Date & Time: 28 Mar 2024, 17:28:17 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:200 CHF by MailBidder2339 (7 bids)
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