This is one of the more interesting coins I have so far. This coin was originally struck with the reverse legend EPI ARXIEREWS ALEXANDROU KLEWNOS SARDIANOU but using an elaborate set of ring shaped countermark dies the obverse and reverse legends were restruck, the reverse indicating the new magistrate. LYDIA. Sardes. Germanicus, with Drusus (Caesar, 15 BC-AD 19). AE Struck under Caligula, restruck circa AD 28/9. Asinius Pollio, proconsul. Obverse Legend : deltaΡΟΥΣΟΣ KAI gammaΕΡMANIKOΣ KAIΣΑΡΕΣ NEOI ΘEOI ΦΙΛΑdeltaΕΛΦOI Obverse Description : Togate figures of Drusus and Germanicus seated left on curule chairs, one figure holding a lituus Reverse Legend : gammaΑΙΩ AΣΙΝΝΙΩ ΠΟΛΛΙΩΝI ANΘΥΠΑΤΩ KOINOΥ AΣΙΑΣ Reverse Description : KOINOY AΣΙΑΣ in two lines within wreath; legend around Weight: 15.5 gm Diameter: 29 mm RPC 2995 Supposedly there is an article about this type in the November 1994 issue of The Celator. I'm trying to locate a copy of that article-- no luck finding it online so I'll have to find and buy a copy of that issue. The piece by Thomas McKenna is titled "The case of the curious coin of Caligula: A provincial bronze restruck with legend-only dies".
It's a fabulous piece all around! Congratulations. Old issues of the Celator are tough to come by, but a couple members on this forum might have the volume you're looking for. Alternatively, you could try calling the publisher, Kerry Wetterstrom - I met him recently at a show, and he seemed personable and friendly. He lists a phone number for ordering back issues here and they aren't expensive... http://wgs.cc/cws/orders.html
Super lookin' coin, TIF ... => the coin has great eye-appeal (I'm lovin' the dark patina with earthen highlights) ... plus, it's a nice, big, heavy coin (nice addition!!)
An interesting catch! I've seen restrikes before, but I don't think I've seen just the legends replaced.
that is a delightfully weird coin....the wreath on the back kind of reminds me of the colonia patricia augustus coins, but everything else is just different and cool.
Did someone say Colonia Patricia Augustus? I have this little semis - it's not the wreath variety, but now that you point it out chrsmat, I do see the resemblance in the Lydian coin. Mine has the ritual instruments, and I collected it not because I was particularly interested in Colonia Patricia coins, but I simply like the blue patina. Those are hard to come by, and this pic represents the true color of the coin...
i have a ...pretty poor one...not even a dog.... you can barely see the wreath... and a obverse augustus almost doing his invisible man imitation.
