My question is about the numismatic evidence found at the Roman fortress of Apsaros in Adjara, Georgia that confirms the presence of Legio X Fretensis. Here is the background story: Question: What were the countermarks that confirm the presence of Legio X Fretensis in Georgia? These coins above seem to have nonspecific countermarks. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/05/study-finds-evidence-of-legio-x-fretensis-in-georgia/147438 Here is an interesting article that might answer my question: https://www.legionten.org/Studies/LXFstudies/LXFstudies.html
Hi @Bart9349, The counter marks shown in your post look like oblong blobs that vaguely resemble boats. This page http://www.romancoins.info/CMK-legionary-East.htm notes that for Leg X “The shape and style of the "Galleys" vary. Some have rounded bottoms and three oars, while others are more elongated with four oars.” That’s the most I can help you with. I could just as easily imagine the blobs to be the thunderbolts of Leg XII Fulminata. Maybe other easier to read coins were found but not illustrated. - Broucheion
This article states that the researchers believe that this “X” was the countermark that helps to confirm Legio X Fretensis’s presence in the distant Black Sea region of Georgia. https://arkeonews.net/archaeologist...gia-found-evidence-of-the-legion-x-fretensis/
I don't know if this kind of countermark is actually meaning Xth Legion. All 10th Legion "X" countermarks I can find in literature are in a square frame, and most often the c/m is a more explicit "LXF" or "LX" or "XFR". This ⊗ countermark is just a traditional c/m you could find as well on Attic tetradrachms of the 4th c. BC ! Or from the "1973 Iraq hoard" (Attic owls of the 4th c. BC), c/m Nr.1 as listed by P. Van Alfen :
