Recently I acquired a coin which was sold as "unlisted in RIC". Upon receiving it I did a close examination and could not find a coin exactly like it listed or referenced anywhere. I posted a thread on NumisForums about it and received a few helpful responses. Some members thought it was a barbarous imitation, others (myself included) thought it looked a little too good for an imitation. The strongest argument (I think) for the barbarous theory is that the coin's weight is rather light (official coins average more around the 3g mark, whereas imitations generally average around 2.46g). However, I have a hard time accepting this argument alone as a reason to judge what otherwise, to my eyes, appears to be legitimate official coinage as barbarous. Especially given the time period of debasement and inflation - it would seem at least plausible that even official weights could be more volatile. The discussion sort of petered out without reaching any conclusive consensus so I was hoping that maybe some folks over here could offer their opinions! I thought of sending the coin in to David Sear for his professional judgement but the cost of that would be 3 or 4 times what I paid for the coin, so it'll be a last-ditch effort. Here is the coin: Obviously I would prefer it to be an official coin but either way, I'd like to be reasonably confident about it! Here is an article that was posted in the other forum which I found interesting: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000108391198 Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated!
Though in good style, it must be unofficial. The first problem is the pairing of an Augustus reverse with Caesar obverse. The obverse legend was also not used for Crispus on Trier campgates. The mintmark was not used for Trier campgates. Trier campgates did not have four turrets and the star above the turrets is missing.
There are several Crispus coins with similar obverse and reverse legends (NOB Caes/AVGG), but no campgates from Trier that I can find. It is a fine specimen and could easily be accepted as official, but I'm afraid I have to agree with @Victor_Clark. It must be unofficial.
i believe it is unofficial, but Crispus did have two mints with four torrents on camp gate, Arles RIC VII 292, TA crescent RL in exergue and Rome, holderman RR 821, RS in exergue, i would get it if it was cheap, it might be an ancient forgery or a unknown official coin?
