What's up with the stuff in the field on the reverse of this denarius of Faustina Senior? An overstrike? Looks like it. Does anyone recognize the undertype? Faustina Sr, AD 138-141 Roman AR denarius; 3.83 g, 18.2 mm Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust, right Rev: AETERNITAS, Fortuna standing left, holding globe and rudder Refs: RIC 348; BMCRE 360; Cohen 6; RCV 4577.
Hard for me to say. There sure was some metal flow going on there! That thing looks nearly Mint State! Sweet coin. I would've said, "nah" on the overstrike theory, suggesting rather that there were just some irregularities to the flan, but looking at the anomalies out in front of Aeternitas' face, I'm not so sure.
In a similar vein, I always wondered what's going on with this Republican denarius I have. Note the "booger" beneath Ceres' nose, and the ghostly ... something ... in the reverse fields around the right legs of the curule chair on the reverse. I asked the same question with this one. Overstrike? Never got a satisfactory answer. For that matter, I don't think I even got an unsatisfactory answer. So still I wonder... But such mysteries can be fun, I suppose. *shrug*
I can't say, but I think @dougsmit might have an idea or two I do love the posts though!! Great coins!!
That is a really nice portrait of Faustina! Sure looks like something is going on with the reverse. John
I've got the reverse of this coin which is undoubtedly "overstruck". There seems to be river god in the lower part, and maybe Apollo standing up. A real puzzle of a possibly Roman struck over Greek coin. The obverse may read Alexander, I think. Have a look please.
OP is either an overstrike or a 90° double-strike, but I suspect overstrike. Turn the reverse counterclockwise to 9h, and it seems to be a standing figure undertype. I can see ghosts of undertype letters also. Adjust the lighting angle and you might see the undertype remnants and letters more clearly. Nice coin!
Thanks brother Carausius. I'll try to figure out all what is possible to appear. It's a hobby after all. BTW..Could you guess the name of the dude on the obverse?
Thanks, @Carausius ! That pointed me in the right direction. I'm convinced the undertype on the reverse was a deity seated left. There is a linear object comprised of bumps coming down vertically in front of the deity. Is anybody familiar enough with the coins of Hadrian or Trajan to recognize the undertype? Perhaps the thing coming down along the left side is the folds of the drapery on the goddess's front legs like on this CONCORDIA AVG type of Sabina? With a little imagination, is that a cornucopiae under the chair? Another example:
I'm out of my depth here, but those radial flow lines on the flan are neat looking. They sure used that die until it wore out, didn't they? I can see why you'd be tantalized by the mystery. Seems fairly obvious that there's something going on there ...
