Hurray for Fourrées!

Here's one I purchased from Valentinian himself.


Roman Republican moneyer Q. Minucius Rufus
122 B.C.
AR denarius (fourée)
18.87 mm. 2.75 g. 0°
Helmeted head of Roma facing right, X below, [RVF behind?]
The Dioscuri galloping right.
S 152; Syd 421; Crawford 277/1

 

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Thank you! And when the article comes together, I shall certainly see that you get a copy.

Cordially,

Mac

 

Please as if there are other categories for which you need images. I do not have a copper over iron as but do have several fourrees.

 

My only fourree (well that I'm aware of being a fourree I mean...)


Mark Antony, Fourree denarius Minted in Athens in 32 BC
ANTON AVG IMP III COS DES III III V R P C, bare head of Mark Antony right
ANTONINVS / AVG IMP III in two lines
3,52 gr
Ref : RCV # 1478, HCRI # 347, RSC # 2, Cohen # 2

Q

 

Hmm, how did I miss posting my other fourree in this thread?


Roman Republic, Lucius Aurelius Cotta
105 BCE
Fourree AR serrate denarius, 20 mm, 3.8 gm
Obv: draped bust of Vulcan right, wearing laureate pileus; tongs and star behind; all within wreath and dotted border
Rev: eagle standing on thunderbolt, head left; L·COT below, V to right; all within laurel wreath and dotted border
Ref: c.f. Crawford 314/1c; Sydenham 577a; Aurelia 21b
formerly slabbed

A previous owner, probably a relatively recent owner, seems to have done some additional filing of a serration. I suppose it was to get a better look inside.

 

Well the copper looks bright so it appears to be a recent filing. This could actually be a very good thing. I've been investigating as to whether I could gain regular access to an XRF X-ray florescence spectrometer or if any of the national clubs, like the ANS could get one.

These do non-destructive analysis of the surface metal composition of a target. While the inside looks copper, it is possible to also get an analysis of the secondary elements; such as silver, lead, tin, Cd, Zn, & etc. These could be used to get a clear view of the material used without trying to see thru oxides & salts.

 

I wonder if this was to settle a bet. Customer A told dealer B that the coin was fourree and overpriced. Dealer B offered to enlarge the cut to settle the matter if customer A agreed to pay the price if it was solid. It was not.

 

Given my experiences with coin dealers this is actually the most likely scenario!