Rasilon Posted September 5, 2022 · Member Share Posted September 5, 2022 Hello, I recently came across this denarius of Claudius online. It looks to me like the reverse is tooled but I don't have a lot of experience with this sort of thing and would welcome your input. I'm seeing the sharp outline of the snake but slightly above it is a fainter silhouette of the snake's top coil. It's like someone was tooling the snake's outline but messed up on the top bit. In contrast the sharp outlines of the snake, the caduceus is extremely faint. The legs of Pax-Nemesis also seem oddly sharp. Thoughts? Thanks, Rasilon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryro Posted September 5, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted September 5, 2022 My concern is the soapiness and pitting. My first thought was that this coin was a modern cast fake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etcherdude Posted September 5, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted September 5, 2022 (edited) I think the coin was struck in ancient times, but that gash along the leg (the front of the leg) looks like damage caused by a burin. Edited September 6, 2022 by Etcherdude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted September 5, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted September 5, 2022 When you look at other examples, it makes a little more sense. Some of those look worse. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis JJ Posted September 6, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted September 6, 2022 I've never owned an AR Denarius of Claudius, but to me this doesn't look tooled. I think the details you mentioned were just protected in the recesses, and the caduceus struck weakly or worn (though it does look fainter than usual). The only thing I can recall ever thinking about this particular type was, "Gosh, there sure are a lot of fourrees (plated) of this type!" But I don't see any broken plating on the example shown. By the way, here are more examples: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?term=claudius+nemesis+AR+denarius&category=1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted September 6, 2022 · Patron Share Posted September 6, 2022 The caduceus may appear weak due to a filled die. That's a possibility, anyway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted September 6, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted September 6, 2022 Doesn't look like tooling to me. Do you have the weight? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasilon Posted September 6, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 Thanks for the feedback everyone. The weight is 3.64g. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevikens Posted September 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted September 6, 2022 Tooling? I don't think so. The weight is a bit light but is what one naturally might expect from a coin with this much wear (still almost all silver in the time of Claudius). With this much wear a fourree would be much lighter than 3.64 grams. If I saw this coin at a show and could get it a good price I'd have bought it. Denarii of Claudius are not easy to come by. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted September 6, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted September 6, 2022 It sold today for 660 € + Juice Q 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasilon Posted September 6, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted September 6, 2022 Yeah. I decided to call it quits at 600. Oh well. On to looking for an Otho I guess. Thanks for the feedback everyone. R 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasilon Posted September 7, 2022 · Member Author Share Posted September 7, 2022 I did manage to pick up an Otho at auction today so I guess all's well that ends well. R 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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