hotwheelsearl Posted May 25, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 25, 2022 I got a few new coins with neat countermarks. I'm not a CM collector, but when I get one, I don't complain. I have a hard time telling if these are Severus Alexander or Elagabalus. I think the countermarks on both are of a tiny radiate bust. The top coin features a radiate bust of SA or EG, with a clearly defined radiate bust CM. The reverse features the classic cult "altar(?)" of Caesarea, showing Mount Argaeus. This one has the mountain singular. The lower coin features a laureate bust, with an unclear, but what I think is a radiate bust CM. The reverse now has the Argaeus Altar within a clear temple enclosure. So cool! There are so many options with the Argaeus Altar - stand alone, within temple, on table, on table with mini temple... the list goes on. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 25, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 25, 2022 2 hours ago, hotwheelsearl said: I got a few new coins with neat countermarks. I'm not a CM collector, but when I get one, I don't complain. I have a hard time telling if these are Severus Alexander or Elagabalus. I think the countermarks on both are of a tiny radiate bust. The top coin features a radiate bust of SA or EG, with a clearly defined radiate bust CM. The reverse features the classic cult "altar(?)" of Caesarea, showing Mount Argaeus. This one has the mountain singular. The lower coin features a laureate bust, with an unclear, but what I think is a radiate bust CM. The reverse now has the Argaeus Altar within a clear temple enclosure. So cool! There are so many options with the Argaeus Altar - stand alone, within temple, on table, on table with mini temple... the list goes on. Always thought countermarks were very cool! Always a neat story and meaning to them. Nice job with yours @hotwheelsearl I have very few... here is one purported to be stamped by the Pirates during Pompey's sweep of the Eastern Med... Cilicia - Tarsos turret counterstamped Bow Pompey Pirates AE 19 164 BCE Tyche-Zeus seated 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvius Pertinax Posted May 26, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 26, 2022 Countermarks are neat! I have a siglos with two of them, but I just cant find out where they are from 😞 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted May 26, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 26, 2022 Countermarks are indeed cool. Here is my Otho from Antioch with an Athena countermark. Syria, Seleucis and Pieria. Antiochia ad Orontem. Otho. A.D. 69. Æ 14.97gr IMP M OTHO CAE(S) AVG (clockwise), laureate head of Otho, r. / S C, inscription in a laurel wreath of eight leaves. Countermarked - Howgego 245 - Athena facing right with shield and spear RPC I 4318, BMC 207, 209–11, McAlee 321c 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AncientNumis Posted May 27, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 27, 2022 Fun countermarks! I'm jealous 😆 Sadly, even though I have quite a number of coins, I have absolutely no countermarks! But I'm planning on getting a load of sigloi as I find them super appealing as a type, so hopefully I can pick some up if I do get them 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsyas Mike Posted May 28, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 28, 2022 Nice ones, @hotwheelsearl I'm a big fan of countermarks and I really like those Cappadocian types. As it so happens, I recently got two of these (one is unidentifiable, but it is a countermark of some sort). Here they are - with full attributions to the best of my abilities (Howgego 12i). Although the countermark is common, I couldn't find any on a Septimius Severus; mostly it is later issues that get this countermark; worn, but I really like the mellow toning and the portrait on this one: Septimius Severus Æ 26 Cappadocia, Caesarea Year ЄT Γ (3) (194-195 A.D.)? [AY K Λ] CЄ[Π CЄOYHPOC AY], laureate head right / MHTPOΠO [KAICAPAC], agalma of Mt. Argaeus set upon garlanded altar inscribed ЄT Γ (date unclear; see notes). Sydenham 422? (see notes). (15.93 grams / 26 mm) eBay May 2022 Countermark: Radiate head of Helios right, in circular punch, 5 mm. Howgego 12i (242 pcs). "Note: The countermark was most likely applied in 243/244 since there are no countermarked coins from year seven of the reign of Gordian III." FORVM. Attribution: Date unclear; Sydenham 412: ЄT B/R (yr. 2) Sydenham 422: ЄT Γ (yr. 3) Sydenham 428: ЄT IΓ (yr. 13) This Gordian III is countermarked on the neck, but I am not sure with what; my guess is a Helios head, since they are so common. But this is only a guess: Gordian III Æ 25 Cappadocia, Caesarea Year Ϛ (6) (243 A.D.) [ΑΥ Κ Μ Α]ΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟϹ, laureate and cuirassed bust right seen from rear / ΜΗΤΡΟ ΚΑΙϹ Β Ν, ƐΤ Ϛ; view of Mount Argaeus set on altar containing wreath RPC VII.2 3384 (cuir. only) 10.69 grams / 25 x 24 mm) eBay May 2022 Countermark: Unclear, but possibly radiate head of Helios right, in circular punch, 5 mm. Howgego 12i (242 pcs). "Note: The countermark was most likely applied in 243/244 since there are no countermark ed coins from year seven of the reign of Gordian III." Collection Automan on FORVM. Attribution: Cuirassed bust, no drapery; (1) example in RPC. That Helios Head countermark was used a lot - RPC calls it No. 129; here is a link to a bunch of other examples: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/countermark/129 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted May 28, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 28, 2022 My favorite countermark ... is one I cannot identify. On this Aspendos stater. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted May 28, 2022 · Patron Share Posted May 28, 2022 Cthulhu? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alegandron Posted May 28, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted May 28, 2022 5 minutes ago, Roman Collector said: Cthulhu? LOL! WHOAH !!! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted May 28, 2022 · Member Share Posted May 28, 2022 Cthulhus or the original name ΓΤΩΛΩΣ . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted May 28, 2022 · Patron Share Posted May 28, 2022 ..I HAVE ONE(countermarked Cappadocian)!...i hadda take anuther pic, but i have one ^^ Severus Alexander(222-235AD) provincial, Cappadocia. 26mm, 11.70gms 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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