This 'denarius' intrigues and puzzles me for several reasons; although variations are of uncertain mints, this one appears to have been struck at Pergamum circa 28-27 BC and although as 'highly scarce' as any other of the type, it also appears to be a 'fourree'!! To quote Agora: 'Although the core is not visible on this example, it's significantly underweight, it must be a fouree. It has clearly circulated as authentic due to its wear" Another area of uncertainty for me is the value of this denarius. It seems that in comparable grade 'genuine' issues and fouree types currently demand similar market values and this example was estimated at $100. So, I must have over-paid since I went significantly above that amount during the last seconds of auction to secure it, having already had a few snatched from my grasp as the last second(s) ticked off. It's a cool coin (about VF) with the obverse reference of Octavian being the son of a god and the wonderful crocodile Egypt reverse.....not to mention it's a very nice fourree. AR Fourree denarius of Octavian, Pergamum mint circa 28-27 BC CAESAR DIVI F COS VI Bare head right,small capricorn below AEGYPTO CAPTA, Crocodile right RIC 545,RSC 4; 19.6 mm, 3.05 grams Please feel free to post and/or comment whatever you feel is appropriate.
Interesting that they chose the crocodile for the reverse rather than the more typical "soldier over kneeling captive" type. Was the kneeling captive type a later development? I know it appears on Vespasian's IUDEA CAPTA coins.
Interesting coin. I could see why they think its a fourree due to weight and cracking on the surface of the silver. I would grade it a Fine, but what the coin IS is more important than grade, right?
I agree that it's more of a 'Fine' grade than any other and the reverse, of course, refers to Octavian's annexation of Egypt---(Egypt Captured) and the image/symbol of a crocodile representing Egypt itself. The historical context greatly appeals to me---although I would have preferred a more 'pristine' example (damn budget) It seems I score nice bargains and then immediately overpay a bit on others LOL...Well, I suppose it all evens out in the end.
Love the coin overall. Since it is obvious that it was circulated over a long time, could that account for the lighter weight?
You may be right Bing, since the weight difference doesn't seem that dramatic to me and I've noticed examples varying between just about my example to an 'average' of 3.5-----and a bit higher. But that 'crack' may be an indication it is a fourree. Frankly, I was starting to worry it was a modern and not an ancient fake. Naturally, I will hesitate to provide a 'bankers mark' to determine the truth LOL
I just wouldn't be so quick to call it a fouree. Perhaps you will be able to tell with it in hand. Perhaps not. It's a cool coin regardless.
This coin has such historical appeal, I think it was a great capture! Egypt was the last major obstacle for Octavian.
Solomon Sez: "Cut it in half, then you'll know!" The several small points on tops of letters and the possible seam running through the right legend on the obverse makes me believe it is fourree. Fourrees of the period should show a seam unless the flan had been heated enough to allow it to be sealed. The wear through spots should be larger unless the foil had been thicker than average and there was not much wear. IF we allow the detail loss to less than heavy strike of a very hot flan with heavy foil, I can see this coin being the result. Below I sow my Sextus Pompey fourree which is similarly high grade which in fourree lingo means lacking core.
Great OP coin. I almost pulled the trigger on this one as well. It was a very tempting coin. Fourree or not it is a great coin. Congrats.
I saw that coin for sale and did a double take on it to make sure it was being sold as a fourree. I think it is indeed a fourree and I'm not so sure that I agree that it has been circulated a lot. It looks to me to be a less than precise counterfeit that didn't circulate much and therefore has a nicely intact silver skin. The folds on the obverse are either flan defects, or more likely, fourree seams IMO. A cool coin so congrats!
Well, everyone has me convinced it's a fourree (Doug and Carthago et al) and I think @Carthago may have nailed it. BTW: I LOVE that Sextus Pompey fourree Doug!! Yes,@chrsmat71 , I think it looks a bit strange too and almost let it pass (poor imitation?) ....But, I think I'll keep it.
