Hi everyone, I just had a general question. Is it possible that obverse dies (roman imperial) were used for more than one type (same denomination but different RIC number)? I'm a bit alarmed because the obverse of a coin I just won appears to be a die match to a completely different coin. Thanks for the help.
@Edward Dandrow Yes here are the images. My coin (NAC) RIC III 192d (CBG) RIC III 199var (CNG) RIC III 199var
Thanks for clearing this up! I was kind of nervous because this is a big purchase and I haven't encountered this before.
My set has six using the same obverse die. I was once told of an obverse used with at least a dozen reverses but I do not have that photo or the coins to prove it. My best guess is that some mints secured dies overnight separately so that no one person would have access to both for 'moonlighting'. In the morning, the dies might be reissued to striking teams randomly. However this is just an idea, not a fact. It might also show, for unknown reason, a desire to make coins with many different reverses rather than waiting for a die failure to end production. What no one knows about the operations of ancient mints would fill a massive book that can never be written. There is a big difference between having evidence and theories and having facts. Scholars who confuse the categories are dangerous.
In this thread I have 10 coins in my collection from the same obverse die with different reverse dies and am aware of at least 4 more reverse dies paired with the same obverse die. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/septimius-severus-avg-ii-co-again.360745/
Let me offer the ultimate proof that it is possible. Constantine the Great obverse with two reverses from Ostia mint in one coin - Soli invicto comiti and SPQR optimo principi.
Aurelian, combining SOLI INVICTO and ORENS AVG Septimius Severus, combining FELICITAS TEMPOR and VICTOR AVG
As I recall there are even dies for Roman Provincials that were used for coins of more than one city. This would occur when coins were contracted to be produced for a neighboring city. We reall do not know if there were ancient mints that were in the business (rather like the American Banknote Company of the 19th Century) producing money for a fee on contract with the issuing authority.
Is it also reasonable to believe that: 1. Dies used for gold coins would have longer life, due to the softness of the metal, and 2. If aureii dies would last longer, many obverse dies would «outlast» the relevance of the reverde and be used for different reverses? Great coin @Romancollector!