Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
Claudius countermarked coinage (updated)
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="jamesicus, post: 4690220, member: 14873"]Claudius approved the use of countermarked sestertii, dupondii and asses in order to extend the supply of money after his invasion and conquest of Britain in 43AD.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1153278[/ATTACH]</p><p>BMCRE, Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 120, 41-45AD (38mm, 29.2gm)</p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right</p><p>Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP</p><p><br /></p><p>Countermarked PROB (Probatum - temporarily accepted)</p><p><br /></p><p>Mattingly note - Cmk. in oblong incuse in front of neck and face; end of legend obliterated</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse depiction: Civic Oak Wreath</p><p>Inscription in four lines:</p><p><br /></p><p>EX SC</p><p>O B</p><p>C I V E S</p><p>SERVATOS</p><p>(within Civic Oak Wreath)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1153279[/ATTACH]</p><p>BMCRE, Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 123, 41-45AD (35mm, 22.3gm)</p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right</p><p>Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP</p><p><br /></p><p>Countermark NCAPR in oblong incuse rectangle behind head (unknown mark on head)</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse depiction: Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue of Nero Claudius Drusus</p><p>Inscription: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP</p><p><br /></p><p>The countermark NCAPR was most frequently employed under Nero and is interpreted different ways by collectors and researchers, with the most popular and frequently used interpretations being Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit or Nero Caesar Augustus Populo Romano.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1153281[/ATTACH]</p><p>TYPICAL IMITATIVE CLAUDIUS SPES SESTERTIUS WITH DEVALUATION COUNTERMARK</p><p><br /></p><p>Pangeri 85d, (29mm, 14.6gm)</p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse countermark DV (denoting half value) on neck</p><p><br /></p><p>This is a devaluation countermark indicating this coin is re-valued as a Dupondius (half value) due to its low weight. Note edge chisel mark on the obverse at approx. 3 o'clock which is always present on DV countermarked coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is a recent acquisition:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1153282[/ATTACH]</p><p>Agrippina Senior, Sestertius, RIC I (Claudius) No. 102, AD 42-54, 25.2 gm.</p><p><br /></p><p>Obverse depiction: Agrippina, draped bust facing right, hair in long plait down back</p><p>Inscription: AGRIPPINA M F GERMANICI CAESARIS</p><p><br /></p><p>Reverse depiction: Large SC</p><p>Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P</p><p><br /></p><p>NCAPR in rectangular countermark above (by Vespasian?)</p><p><br /></p><p>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p><p><br /></p><p>Reference resources ..........</p><p><br /></p><p>1. <a href="http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1546590/1/Kenyon_675410_vol1.pdf" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1546590/1/Kenyon_675410_vol1.pdf" rel="nofollow">THE COPYING OF BRONZE COINS OF CLAUDIUS 1 IN ROMAN BRITAIN (PDF)</a> - Ph.D dissertation of Robert Frederick Ernest Kenyon, Institute of Archaeology, University College, London, April 1992 - a 535 page PDF document, which is a very comprehensive body of work that covers, in exhaustive detail, all aspects of this coinage including production, circulation, countermarking, etc.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. <a href="http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan37234/pdf" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan37234/pdf" rel="nofollow">The Romano-British imitations of Bronze Coins of Claudius I (PDF)</a> - a digital edition of the highly regarded monograph by C. H. V. Sutherland, provided by the American Numismatic Society.</p><p><br /></p><p>General Notes:</p><p>1. There were numerous imitations of Roman aes coins - some of poor quality but also some of reasonably good quality - produced in Britain during this period using spurious dies.</p><p>2. In order to help relieve pervasive coin shortages, quantities of reasonably well made imitative coins were occasionally accepted by Roman officials for circulation.</p><p>3. Many coins were countermarked to indicate their official status and in some instances to denote re-valuation of coinage denomination.</p><p><br /></p><p>In COINS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM (BMCRE), Volume I (Augustus to Vitellius) - Introduction to Claudius Chronology, Harold Mattingly points out that there were numerous imitations of Claudius aes coinage, some of them barbarous, during this period. These coins were produced throughout the northern frontier - notably in Gaul and Britain - often by unskilled fabricators using unofficial dies. These local imitations were sometimes accepted (and countermarked) by Roman Officials for use by both the Roman military and civilian population.</p><p><br /></p><p>In his discussion relating to Countermarks Mattingly also points out that their main purpose was to extend the circulation of coins under new authority - and in some instances to also denote re-valuation of coinage denominations. The countermarks were heavily incused (stamped within a border), mostly on the coin obverses, in order to survive prolonged usage and wear.</p><p><br /></p><p>Countermarks may also have been applied to confirm the continued validity of old and much worn or inferior coins, particularly when the supply of new coins to frontier areas fell short of established goals.</p><p><br /></p><p>In his article "The Countermark PROB on Coins of Claudius I from Britain" (The Numismatic Chronicle Vol. 148 {1988}, pp. 53-61), Robert Kenyon records that after his conquest of Britain in 42AD (and maybe planned before) Claudius issued large quantities of early OB CIVES SERVATOS (without PP) and SPES Sestertii of 41AD (minted in Rome) for use in general commerce in Britain. All of this coinage was countermarked PROB (Probatum = approved) on the coin obverse.</p><p><br /></p><p>In my experience surviving countermarked coins are usually much worn and in not very good condition, but they often have great historical association.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="jamesicus, post: 4690220, member: 14873"]Claudius approved the use of countermarked sestertii, dupondii and asses in order to extend the supply of money after his invasion and conquest of Britain in 43AD. [ATTACH=full]1153278[/ATTACH] BMCRE, Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 120, 41-45AD (38mm, 29.2gm) Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP Countermarked PROB (Probatum - temporarily accepted) Mattingly note - Cmk. in oblong incuse in front of neck and face; end of legend obliterated Reverse depiction: Civic Oak Wreath Inscription in four lines: EX SC O B C I V E S SERVATOS (within Civic Oak Wreath) [ATTACH=full]1153279[/ATTACH] BMCRE, Vol. I, CLAUDIUS, SESTERTIUS, Rome, No. 123, 41-45AD (35mm, 22.3gm) Obverse depiction: Claudius, laureate head facing right Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP Countermark NCAPR in oblong incuse rectangle behind head (unknown mark on head) Reverse depiction: Triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue of Nero Claudius Drusus Inscription: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP The countermark NCAPR was most frequently employed under Nero and is interpreted different ways by collectors and researchers, with the most popular and frequently used interpretations being Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit or Nero Caesar Augustus Populo Romano. [ATTACH=full]1153281[/ATTACH] TYPICAL IMITATIVE CLAUDIUS SPES SESTERTIUS WITH DEVALUATION COUNTERMARK Pangeri 85d, (29mm, 14.6gm) Obverse countermark DV (denoting half value) on neck This is a devaluation countermark indicating this coin is re-valued as a Dupondius (half value) due to its low weight. Note edge chisel mark on the obverse at approx. 3 o'clock which is always present on DV countermarked coins. Here is a recent acquisition: [ATTACH=full]1153282[/ATTACH] Agrippina Senior, Sestertius, RIC I (Claudius) No. 102, AD 42-54, 25.2 gm. Obverse depiction: Agrippina, draped bust facing right, hair in long plait down back Inscription: AGRIPPINA M F GERMANICI CAESARIS Reverse depiction: Large SC Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P NCAPR in rectangular countermark above (by Vespasian?) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reference resources .......... 1. [URL='http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1546590/1/Kenyon_675410_vol1.pdf']THE COPYING OF BRONZE COINS OF CLAUDIUS 1 IN ROMAN BRITAIN (PDF)[/URL] - Ph.D dissertation of Robert Frederick Ernest Kenyon, Institute of Archaeology, University College, London, April 1992 - a 535 page PDF document, which is a very comprehensive body of work that covers, in exhaustive detail, all aspects of this coinage including production, circulation, countermarking, etc. 2. [URL='http://numismatics.org/digitallibrary/ark:/53695/nnan37234/pdf']The Romano-British imitations of Bronze Coins of Claudius I (PDF)[/URL] - a digital edition of the highly regarded monograph by C. H. V. Sutherland, provided by the American Numismatic Society. General Notes: 1. There were numerous imitations of Roman aes coins - some of poor quality but also some of reasonably good quality - produced in Britain during this period using spurious dies. 2. In order to help relieve pervasive coin shortages, quantities of reasonably well made imitative coins were occasionally accepted by Roman officials for circulation. 3. Many coins were countermarked to indicate their official status and in some instances to denote re-valuation of coinage denomination. In COINS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM (BMCRE), Volume I (Augustus to Vitellius) - Introduction to Claudius Chronology, Harold Mattingly points out that there were numerous imitations of Claudius aes coinage, some of them barbarous, during this period. These coins were produced throughout the northern frontier - notably in Gaul and Britain - often by unskilled fabricators using unofficial dies. These local imitations were sometimes accepted (and countermarked) by Roman Officials for use by both the Roman military and civilian population. In his discussion relating to Countermarks Mattingly also points out that their main purpose was to extend the circulation of coins under new authority - and in some instances to also denote re-valuation of coinage denominations. The countermarks were heavily incused (stamped within a border), mostly on the coin obverses, in order to survive prolonged usage and wear. Countermarks may also have been applied to confirm the continued validity of old and much worn or inferior coins, particularly when the supply of new coins to frontier areas fell short of established goals. In his article "The Countermark PROB on Coins of Claudius I from Britain" (The Numismatic Chronicle Vol. 148 {1988}, pp. 53-61), Robert Kenyon records that after his conquest of Britain in 42AD (and maybe planned before) Claudius issued large quantities of early OB CIVES SERVATOS (without PP) and SPES Sestertii of 41AD (minted in Rome) for use in general commerce in Britain. All of this coinage was countermarked PROB (Probatum = approved) on the coin obverse. In my experience surviving countermarked coins are usually much worn and in not very good condition, but they often have great historical association.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
Claudius countermarked coinage (updated)
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...