We all know about modern cast fakes, and hopefully have some idea of how to recognize the signs of them. But what about ancient cast fakes? When it comes to ancient counterfeits, we usually think of fourees (deceptive ‘silver’ coins with a base metal core and a thin layer of silver on top) or imitative (not necessarily deceptive, usually of a base metal or occasionally of silver, but not issued by a proper authority). Some even collect them. But there were also cast counterfeits in the ancient world. We have perhaps seen ancient coin moulds imitating tetrarchic folles, but did you know that even in the first and second century denarii were also being cast? We were talking about these in the class I am taking on ancient coinage, and how it would be nearly impossible to tell these apart from modern fakes unless they were recovered in a proper excavation. The exception that came to mind was XRF (rather than silver, these ancient cast fakes contained a high degree of tin, which imitates the appearance of silver), but that isn’t readily available for most. I was unable to find much information on whether the ancient casting method might leave traces which were noticeably different from the modern ones, and I don’t know whether any of us have had the opportunity to examine such pieces in hand. In general, it looks like they tended to use moulds made after authentic coins. A search of the Portable Antiquities Scheme database shows that these types of cast fakes are actually relatively common, especially from the late 2nd Century, and I am posting some examples below. The article “Cast Forgeries of Roman Denarii and Antoniniani, Silver-tin-copper and Copper-tin Alloys,” by Raub and Zwicker in Vol. 172 of the Numismatic Chronicle also discusses the alloys used in these counterfeits. Something to keep in mind next time you’re looking at a cast denarii (or any coin, really). Cast copy of Julia Aquilia Severa: Cast copy of Septimius Severus: Cast copy of Caracalla: Cast copy of Julia Maesa:
That's really interesting. Some are not likely to be mistaken for the real thing by modern numismatists. Although the Aquilia Severa has the correct reverse type (Concordia standing), such as on this example in my collection ... ... it's clearly of base metal. The coin of Julia Maesa is obviously base metal and its reverse matches none of Maesa's few reverse types. The Severus is obviously base metal, too, but it's hard to decide whether it's a cast fake or a struck limes denarius with a lot of corrosion on the surfaces. That's where examining the coin in hand and under a microscope would help. The Caracalla, though, might fool me from the photo. It looks all the world like RIC 11, but in a poor state of preservation: Looking at these photos from the article, I now wonder whether this enigmatic coin of Plautilla in my collection -- which I've always thought was a worn limes denarius -- was cast in antiquity:
Evidence shows that one of the first waves of imitatives - Claudian asses from Britain, as well as Spain and northern France- likely originate in or next to military camps. These coins were therefore almost certainly authorized by the military to provide troops with small change. The late 3rd - early 4th century casts from Egypt were likely made to make up shortages used when the centuries old tradition of striking local Alexandrian coinage ended in the 290s. I also remember that Postumus issued cast bronze, and Severus maybe command himself the production of cast coins as « pièces de nécessité » for the pay of his troops. One thing is for sure ; these pieces were certainly not produced for fooling anyone.
@Yorkshire Your coin is a modern (Bulgarian manufactured) cast fake. I have a couple of "Limes" but generally only get them as a cheap space filler for a variety that I have been unable to otherwise obtain. Septimius Severus limes denarius Obv:– L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, laureate head left Rev:– IVST-ITIA, Justitia (Justice) seated left with patera & scepter Minted in style of Laodicea-ad-Mare. A.D. 199-202 Reference:– Copies RIC 505. Copies RSC 251 Obv:– L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX. Laureate head right Rev:– VOTIS / DECEN / NALI / BVS. Legend in 4 lines, all within wreath Copies a coin minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare. A.D. 194 Reference(s) – Copies RIC IV 520a
I have trouble accepting the casts of very rare coins when they are so much more common than casts of common types. I have two from the same mother. Severan asses are known 'Cast in Gaul' but again they often are 'better' types. This is Geta / Minerva. Septimius / Biga
This one follows my observation that we see these with 'better' types than the 'run of the mill' asses. I could see the mint of necessity selecting nice coins, perhaps coins given to their local official by the emperor in a special ceremony. I have only one 'Cast in Gaul' as that is an ordinary type but even it has the more scarce variation of the goddess holding a drum rather than a thunderbolt. I feel there is a story here that I have not heard. Caracalla / Goddess on lion
