I recently purchased this Roman Republic coin and I am wondering if someone (who knows about 'countermarks' would be able to assist me in identifying the 'countermark', please? Rome (Republic) L. Marcius Phillipus 56 BC Silver Denarius Equestrian Statue CR# 425/1 (Coin not yet in hand - Seller's pics.)
My inexpert opinion would be that this is a standard banker's mark, rather than a specific countermark. The difference being the countermark would be official and standardized. Banker's marks are more random, presumably applied by private, non-governmental agencies. Some RR denarii were countermarked officially - Vespasian comes to mind, but those don't look like the OP. Here is an L Marcius Philippus with a couple of banker's marks (not an "R" however):
I have several coins with "banker's marks, but I have no idea what the "R" might stand for on your coin.
Bankers Marks Persia Achaemenid Type III spear over shoulder Darius I to Xerxes II Ca 485-420 BCE AR Siglos Bankers Marks Incuse rev Roman Republic - Imperatorial Marc Antony 32-31 BCE AR Legio X Equestris - Caesar Denarius B bankers mark Eagle Galley Standards The “B” is my initial. They knew I would buy this coin 2000 years later. Egypt Ptolemy I Soter Tet Delta bankers marks Athens Owl 16.8g 22x6-5mm Late Classical 393-300 BC, Sear 2537, SNG Cop. 63s coin
I actually find some of these banker's marks attractive and appreciate that it indicates a particular coin has a history of circulation.
Thank you, people. Of all of the people who should 'value' (pardon the pun) money, you would think that 'Bankers' would pay better attention to where they put their marks. @Marsyas Mike Nice Philippus. Thank-you.
