Marsyas Mike Posted September 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted September 10, 2023 My latest Roman Republican denarius is a fourrée issue (silver foil over a base-metal core) of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi (90 B.C.). I was hoping the reverse damage was just some really bad case of planchet lamination, as the damage was covered in dirt when I got it. A gentle cleaning in distilled water revealed a very cruddy base core, probably bronze. The weight is low too. So yep, fourrée. Lately I've been hunting up die-matches to my purchases, and given this was presumably not an "official" issue, I didn't think I'd have much luck. Furthermore, this issue is enormous. But to my surprise, I found several obverse die-matches and one obverse-reverse. So here's mine with attribution, including die-matches: Roman Rep. Fourrée Denarius L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi (90 B.C.) Rome Mint Laureate head of Apollo right; H at throat / L• PI[SO FRV]G I ROM[A], horseman galloping right carrying palm frond, no control mark above. Crawford 340/1; Calpurnia 11. (2.75 grams / 17 x 16 mm) eBay Sep. 2023 Die-Match Obv. & Rev.: Numismatik Lanz München Auct. 141; Lot 267; 26.05.2008 Note: no control mark above horseman. Die-Match Obverse Only: American Numismatic Soc. Silver Coin, 0000.999.618 Leu Numismatik Web Auct. 3; Lot 767; 25.02.2018 A. Tkalec AG Auct. Oct. 2003; Lot 174; 24.10.2003 Numismatica Ars Classica Auct. 125; Lot 399; 23.06.2021 Numismatica Ars Classica Auct. 136; Lot 35; 15.12.2022 Here are photos of several obverse die-matches, the H-under-the-chin control mark - all of these had reverse control marks over the horseman, whereas mine does not have one - these are all from acsearch auctions: This is another obverse die-match from the American Numismatic Society Collection: This is the only obverse/reverse match I found, including the absence of a reverse control mark above the horseman - the reverse is so damaged on mine that I could be mistaken: I've heard theories that fourrée issues were actually issued by the Roman mint as a way to stretch the bullion supply - in other words, rather than debasing the entire issue, just minting a certain number of them with a base-metal core; this would explain the die-matches. Or counterfeiters made them outside official channels - but if so, why the die-matches? So I was wondering what NF members' opinions are about this. Feel free to share your favorite fourrées. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Posted September 10, 2023 · Member Share Posted September 10, 2023 Hello Mike. This is a very good question. It reminded me this old thread on Forvm. Hope it will help. Dominic https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=54044.msg334967#msg334967 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsyas Mike Posted September 12, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted September 12, 2023 On 9/10/2023 at 7:15 PM, Ocatarinetabellatchitchix said: Hello Mike. This is a very good question. It reminded me this old thread on Forvm. Hope it will help. Dominic https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=54044.msg334967#msg334967 Thank you so much for providing that link, Dominic. That was a very interesting and instructive discussion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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