At this time, I do not have access to howgego or any references to countermarks for that matter, so I did a cursory search for this topic on the CT forums, as well as a full sweep of the internet, but did not find anything regarding this topic. I would not have consider it to even be a topic until a couple of recent finds in a lot sent to me Spain in 2013. Basically, I'm wondering if countermarks (such as COS, CAES, and/or CAESAR) are known to occur on LRBs, particlarly late, like post 450. It's too early to post images of the finds as they are simply not at all photogenic right now. I'm just curious whether or not something like it has been previously cataloged, even if just as footnote, any info would be better than what I know now... Thanks for your time to check into the issue for me. Moe Wolfy Wilder
I collect ancient countermarks, but have not been doing so very long. I have not run across any LRB's with countermarks. As in none! Not sure why this is, but I have a couple of amateur theories: 1. The value on these Late Roman Bronzes were so low there was very little need to revaluate them. A lot of ancient countermarks seem to have been to confirm or revalue an existing coin. For instance, worn, underweight sestertii (or counterfeits) of Claudius were countermarked DV so they circulated as dupondii. This sort of thing wouldn't really be worthwhile for the tiny, lightweight LRBs. 2. A lot of Provincials were countermarked for use in other areas. By the late empire, coinage had become uniform, so the the abundant Provincial coinage with local denominations and types had been replaced by an Empire-wide standard coinage. So no need to countermark for use in a new area, since everything was already the same. These are just a couple of inexpert theories. If I run across an LRB with a countermark that isn't just random damage, I'll post it, for sure!
Thanks, I was under the same general impression - that is until I cleaned this batch. I knew the Vandals in Spain/Africa were using countermarks to revalue 1st centuy coppers in the 5th century. This was done on 400 year old coins not curent issues. However, there is something about this late late roman bronze I found that tells me the Western mints may have had a new reason to dust off the ole "CAESAR" CMs, that is to obliterate the name of an emperor who was recently killed or deposed, so to be able to continue to distribute the coins that were already struck before the emperor's downfall. I'm not sure yet, but I think there's also a CM on a 4th century constantinian era, that may have been used to validate a barbarous copy. I am still working on these pieces, just not ready to show them around until I'm sure of what I'm seeimg.
Sounds intriguing! I'm familiar with the Vandal countermarks (not in person - I've just seen photos), but for LRBs to get countermarked is new to me. I look forward to seeing yours.
This lot I got from Spain in 2013 held several surprises and wtfs. Edit 1: Oh yeah, I almost forgot the two LRB Constantines That Look like they have big V countermarks. If it were only one coin, I might think it nothing but 2 from same era with identical V markings.... hmmmm. Edit 2: Just a thought, but I wonder if the V could be a revaluation to 5 nummi... Those two might take good images now, if I can only remember which jar I put them in.
