We throw that word around so casually on this forum. Consider this...: As counterfeits consistantly circulated on par with official issues in the ancient world, these designations cab be particularly important. They can also be cheaper and easier for the modern collector to acquire. Consider the first coin I posted, an as of Tiberius, with the seated figure of Livia and POTEST XXIIII. The original does not appear in RIC or the British Museum but is, however, cited by the 19th century French cataloger Cohen. (Cohen 19) Modern numismatists question the existance of this coin. Even an imitation of the piece is exceedingly rare. Another class of possible counterfeits are the "limes" denarii.These coins were likely minted for circulation among troops at the frontier, to be exchanged for regular silver upon their return. They are made of bronze and often mismatch legends and titles of official coins. Perhaps the best part of these coins is that they tend to be CHEAP! Consider the Septimius Severus limes denarius I attached, its at least VF, possibly EF. A genuine denarius would cost $80 or $90 in that condition, with that centering. But this one cost me only $7.
Interesting- I don't have $80 or $90 for a coin purchase right now, but I might could swing $7 or so for a beauty like that! Thanks for the info. Andy
Thanks for the comments! How about another one? Caracalla, AD 211-217 AR Denarius - 19mm, 4.15g unofficial mint, c. 212 AD laureate bust r. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Annona seated l., holding wheat ears over modius in r. hand, cornucopia in l. P M TR P XV COS III P P ancient imitation, mule "It is an ancient imitation, as style and composition show. That explains the hybrid titulature, GERM on obv. but only TR P XV on rev. Rev. appears to be P M TR P XV COS III P P, Annona seated l., holding wheat ears over modius in r. hand, cornucopia in l. " - Curtis Clay
and one more, recently acquired. This one for $6.50. Caracalla AE limes denarius – 2.9g, 20mm Rome?, c. 226 AD ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT laureate bust r. MONETA AVG Moneta standing l., holding scale and cornucopia RIC 224 (silver denarius)
