IRREGULAR CLAUDIUS OB CIVES SERVATOS SESTERTIUS WITH COUNTERMARK 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 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) Enlargement of PROB countermark: PROB (Probatum = approved) countermark. I believe this to be an irregular issue coin (struck from locally made unofficial dies). Note the flattened and bulged area on the reverse resulting from the very heavily struck (probably also using an imitative and unofficial punch) countermark on the obverse which was carelessly positioned almost off the flan. The inscriptional lettering on the reverse is somewhat uneven and not very well formed.
Edited: Reference resources .......... 1. THE COPYING OF BRONZE COINS OF CLAUDIUS 1 IN ROMAN BRITAIN (PDF) - 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, counter marking, etc. 2. The Romano-British imitations of Bronze Coins of Claudius I (PDF) - a digital edition of the highly regarded monograph by C. H. V. Sutherland, provided by the American Numismatic Society. 3. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum (BMCRE), Volume 1 (Augustus to Vitellius)by Harold Mattingly - an online 1923 edition archived copy. The introductory chapters include a great deal of essential reference material relating to this coinage. I personally use my 1983 (revised) printed edition. 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 addition to official coins and countermarks there is a wealthy representation of imitations from Britain. I have this Claudius, ex Tom Cederlind Collection:
Indeed Ken, ranging from crude barbarous specimens to those produced using well made spurious dies. And, of course, “caveat emptor” in selecting and purchasing them. As always, only from reliable dealers you trust.
