My First Eraviscan coin, Types of C. Postumius, after 74 BC; Freeman 24 (17/P), Chitescu 173, cf. Cr-394/1; 2.87g. Both sides somewhat stylized, remnants of correct legend on reverse. "unusual surface with droplets and depressions implying casting, but a "wrapped" edge seam more consistent with a plated piece. The dies are unquestionably Eraviscan, and specimens exist with "normal" fabric. Might this be an ancient forgery, derived from an imitation" Ex Gemini auction IX, (part of lot 763) Illustrated in Volume 18, issue no 4 of the Celator. Figure19 https://community.vcoins.com/the-celator-vol-18-no-4/ Illustrated on http://rrimitations.ancients.info/ as Class B, Group II Pannonian, Eraviscan- E15. From the Philip Davis Collection some interesting stuff about the Eravisci Very little is known about them. However, we do know that they were highly cultured. They moved in from the north in about the third or fourth centuries BC. The Eravasci worked with iron, created jewelry and pottery, and even minted their own coins out of silver. Most Celtic societies at this time were barter economies, therefore making the Eravasci distinguishable among other tribes. Despite being immensely cultured, they were quite powerless and minor in the ancient world. They founded Aquincum; this became a major Roman military base and civilian city. The Romans conquered and annexed the Eravasci around 12 BC. There, they turned the existing settlement into Aquincum and made it a military and civilian hub. The Huge number of denarii imported to this region as a result of the slave trade led to local populations making their own Imitations of the Denarii.
Cool - I've been to the ruins of Aquincum, which are now in Budapest. I guess any complete Hungarian collection should have one of these!
Heh, that was my first Eraviscan coin too! That coin, not just that type. They were never my focus, but I do illustrate a few more on my "legacy" imitations website: http://rrimitations.ancients.info/eraviscan1.html The next page after the link illustrates the OP coin. Phil Davis
I hate to be pedantic, but for the record, Michael Crawford's comments regarding the slave trade etc. ("If we may with all due caution...") are discussing an earlier round of imitations of RR denarii, not the Eraviscan coins produced in the waning years of the 1st century BC. In my opinion most of the imitations Crawford refers too are Dacian or produced within their sphere of influence, but in any case were certainly not the output of the Celtic Eraviscans.
Its an imitation of your avatar coin Oh cool didn't realize that was you, I just got the coin off an Ebay auction a few weeks ago + it arrived today.
A little backstory for your new coin, if you're interested: In 2003, not too long after I began my study of RR imitations, I found this coin languishing in the HJB black cabinet, unjustly branded with a scarlet F as an out and out fake. I was convinced it was ancient, although patently not an official Roman product, so I redeemed it from numismatic purgatory. I spotted it as Eraviscan when I realized that the dies were represented in Rob Freeman's Eraviscan die study in Essays Hersh. It's a very strange coin. I've since seen other coins from the same dies and they display none of the unusual physical characteristics of this piece. I don't quite know what to make of it, but I guess I still lean towards my earlier explanation: An ancient imitation (or ancient forgery) of an earlier Eraviscan imitation. Enjoy it! It's a pretty cool coin. Phil Davis
Thanks cool info some guesses about the coin lol.. maybe a Fouree? about 25% underweight compared to others + there is a greenish look to the inside of the depressions + on side of the coin + maybe the spots are from fire damage? Or maybe the silver was poured then they realized there wasn't enough so they poured some more over the flan after it solidified which makes it look like 2 layers? ( I don't know what I am talking about)..
