Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="dougsmit, post: 3626256, member: 19463"]I have long believed in this theory and go one extra step.  I do not believe portraits were always cut by one die engraver.  I believe that an apprentice might take a die blank and gouge out the rough figure but not add details.  Later, a more skilled cutter would add details and submit his work to the master who would tweak it as needed.  Dies in the midst of this process when the old ruler died would be worked as needed to make a usable die. No, I can't prove it.  I'm just an old guy who makes up stuff as I go on but I assure you that those experts who tell you they have all the answers frequently don't understand the question. Here is a Nerva like Trajan:[ATTACH=full]972458[/ATTACH] This one has a bit more Trajan and a bit less Nerva.  Perhaps it was made a day/week or two after the first?   When were the legends added?  There are coins that suggest one or the other answer but if I were running that show they would be put in after the rough cut and before the master did the final review. [ATTACH=full]972459[/ATTACH] Guessing is fun. Some guesses have merit while others are pretty far out.  I am not trying to convince you that I can teach you the truth and award you a degree  based on how exactly you agree with my beliefs.  In this case Shea19 would get an A from me for this observation but that does not mean that we are not both wrong. We are all still learning.[/QUOTE]