Valens siliqua - SMTC mintmark ?!

[Heliodromus]

Just saw this for sale - listed as a metal detecting find.

I can't find this SMTC mintmark of OCRE. Has anyone seen it before? What about the rather distinctive bust style - does that appear genuine?

It looks as if it's good silver, although odd the way it's broken.

[seth77]

The obverse effigy is rather funky, the legend lettering is somewhat clumsy -- check out the WVLT / + on the reverse. Probably an imitation?

[Heliodromus]

I didn't notice the WVLT ! I just realized the "S" of VALENS is sideways too !

It was the "+" vs "X" that first caught my eye.

I agree it does seem to be unofficial, but also seems to be silver .. or is it a fouree with a base metal core ?

Edited September 24, 2023 by Heliodromus

[seth77]

7 minutes ago, Heliodromus said:

I didn't notice the WVLT ! I just realized the "S" of VALENS is sideways too !

It was the "+" vs "X" that first caught my eye.

I agree it does seem to be unofficial, but also seems to be silver .. or is it a fouree with a base metal core ?

The reverse also looks like it has some sort of delamination that shows the same material as on the surface. Possibly a silver alloy. I dont think these were meant to defraud anyways, they were prestige objects in the 'barbaricum' so knock-off items were bound to appear.

[John Conduitt]

It's SИTC as well. The whole thing is both very clear but very wrong. A big cud on the E too. Definitely an imitation, of which there were many of Valens.

[DonnaML]

I see no SNTC or SMTC mintmark listed in Roman Silver Coins V (Carausius to Romulus Augustus), or in the Depeyrot volume covering coins during the 337-491 period (although that book is limited to gold coins). The closest is SMTS for Sacra Moneta/Thessalonica.

[Hrefn]

Off the cuff impression?  Barbaric imitation, formerly holed, crystallized, then broken.  

Edited September 25, 2023 by Hrefn
Typo

[ominus1]

idk, but its a great conversation piece  🙂

[Heliodromus]

Thanks everyone!

So unofficial for sure, not copying any specific mintmark (at least not with any fidelity).

So perhaps the conclusion is that with decent-appearing silver and possibly holed, it may have been made to be worn in the Barbaricum rather than as a fouree made to deceive.