This coin is another recent purchase that I've had for a bit but am only just getting around to writing up. The seller I purchased it from simply identified it as a denarius of L Papius, and while the reverse matches the technical description of that type(though the style is off), the obverse is clearly something else. In this case, it's based on a denarius of Cn. Egnatius F. Cn. N Maxsumus though what I can see of the legend has been completely blundered. Aside from the fact that the plating is in better than average condition for a fourée, what I found really interesting about this coin and what made me want to buy it is that, when consulting my photofile I found it to be a reverse die match to NE3 from Phil Davis's website which, itself, is yet another mismatched hybrid. The fact that this reverse die was used with at least two incorrect obverse dies makes me wonder if it was ever paired with the correct one. While this is obviously the product of an ancient forger and not anything from an official mint I find it interesting for the small window it gives us into the forger's workshop. Imitations of Roman Republic AR plated denarius(3.13g), after 75 B.C., imitating types of C. Egnatius Cn. F. Cn. N. Maxsumus and L. Papius. Diademed and draped bust of Libertas right, behind pileus and blundered legend(prototype=MAXSVMVS). Border of dots. / Gryphon springing right. Below, uncertain symbol. In exergue, L PAPI. Bead-and-reel border.
Very cool! It appears to be a barbarous mule fouree!! Talk about an enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a mystery. AWESOME
Mule fourrees are so common that I wonder if they were made not knowing what went together or intentionally so the makers would have an easy way to be sure not to accept their fakes later in commerce. I see no way we will ever know and the answer could be different for every maker. Another thing I'd love to know is just how many shops there were producing fake coins. Some we see seem obviously related or by the same 'hand' but there are so many styles and types there must have been many people in the business.
