Today I added another example of a coin overstruck on an earlier coin, I like these when, and only when, it is possible to identify the coins that contributed to the mess. This one is relatively common and also one of a kind. It is common because there seem to be quite a few coins of Carausius overstruck on earlier coins but the exact way the two designs merge on the one flan will be unique for each specimen. Carausius, Pax reverse, overstruck on Victorinus, Salus reverse: On the obverse starting at 9 o'clock we see IPMCVI. There are a few spikes from Victorinus' crown growing out of Carausius' head but most of the obverse belongs to Carausius. At about 1 o'clock we see VSIVSPFAV (what happened to the G???) and the profile of the face is clear. Beyond Carausius' shoulder at 8 o'clock is a bold I and weak M from Carausius' IMP legend. The Carausius reverse was PAX AVG but all we see is the very bottom of the X and a bold AVG. I show the reverse upside down for the Carausius strike to make it easier to see the Victorinus component. Salus, from Victorinus, is standing to the right and holding a snake whose head is touching the A of SAV (1 to 3 o'clock). Often it helps in understanding overstrikes if you have a coin like the undertype for comparison. I don't own one now but will be looking for a fairly priced one. For now, here is one from acsearch: http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=551715 Even a coin of the top strike can be illustrative. From the Carausius below, I suspect that my coin has the field letters P - O showing. Style suggests it is London mint. Is the stroke left of Salus' head part of the mintmark from the Carausius coin? http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=662907 The most common overstrikes are Byzantine but there are nice coins from most periods. A friend once showed me a coin I really wanted that was clearly Septimius Severus overstruck on Pescennius Niger. That coin is now in the British Museum collection but I'm always hoping to find another example.
Still need this emperor myself but I cant justify the cost for what most are scraps. I too have seen overstrikes of his but never this clear either :0 This is a very cool coin & I dont have any roman overstrucks, just 1 byzantine thats been shared a few times before.
These are fascinating and immensely interesting overstrikes, and that's a choice example. It would make sense that you would find Carausius overstruck on Victorinus as they were both Gallic emperors. One has to wonder though whether the overstriking of older coins was some sort of political statement, or were the Western mints really that short on bronze?
Very interesting addition .... other than countermarks, I don't have any overstruck coins (again, your new example is a very cool & interesting pick-up)
