I have this coin below, which shows a strange countermark in the form of a bird's head (eagle head). The countermark is right on the head of the emperor. Does anybody know what this countermark indicates? Could this be the countermark of a legion?
While I really hope to find out more about the strange eagle-head-countermark above, here are two coins from my collection, which show the famous VAR countermark.
Yes, it's the legionary eagle's head countermark. I believe it was used to validate the value of the coin for use by the legion with a certain population or purpose. Tiberius, Ruled 14-37 AD AE As, Celtiberian/Roman Hispania Calagurris Iulia Nassica (Calahorra, Logroño) Issued by C. Celer and C. Rectus (duoviri) Obverse: TI•CAESAR•DIVI•AVG•F•AVGVSTVS, Laureate head of Tiberius right; legionary Eagle Head countermark on head. Reverse: Bull standing right, M•C•I to left, C•CELERE above, C•RECTO below, II/VIR before. References: SNG Cop 587, RPC I 450 Size: 28mm, 11.5g Ex: Ibercoin, Auction 25, #113 (1/30/19) Tiberius, Ruled 14-37 AD AE As, Turiaso, Tarazona (Zaragoza) Issued by L Caecilius Aquinus and M Celsus Palud (duoviri) Obverse: TI CAESAR AVG F IMP PONT M, Laureate head of Tiberius right; legionary Eagle Head countermark on head. Reverse: Bull standing right, L•CAEC•AQVIN / MVN TVR (ligate) above, M•CEL•PALVD below, II/VIR before. References: SNG Cop 587, RPC I 419 Size: 28mm, 9.7g Tiberius, Ruled 14 – 37 AD, AE As, Turiaso Mint Mn. Sulp. Lucan and M. Semp. Front. as duoviri Obverse: TI CAESAR AVG F AVGVSTVS IMP laureate bust right, legionary Eagle Head countermark. Reverse: MVN TVRIASO MAN SVLP LVCAN M SEMP FRONT, II VIR within wreath. Reference: RPC 413 Augustus, Ruled 27 BC – 14 AD, AE As, Hispania, Turiaso Mint Obverse: IMP AVGVSTVS PATER PATRIEA, laureate bust right, legionary Eagle Head countermark. Reverse: L MARIO L NOVIO MVN TVRIASO, II VIR within wreath. Reference: RPC 411
Nice countermarks. I wish I could chime in here with an eagle head, but I don't have one of them. Here is a whole eagle, standing, which I've never been able to attribute (the host coin is so awful it may stay a mystery forever):
All, For more on this countermark (in Spanish) see https://www.tesorillo.com/articulos/caesarea/aguila.htm . - Broucheion
That is fantastic. Thanks a lot all for the information. If the underlying coin is from Spain maybe it is even possible to identify which legion countermarked these coins. Again, many thanks.
