COIN (ROMAN)

A complete fabricated and silver plated cliched forgery of a Roman republican coin (diameter: 17.7mm; thickness: 1.3mm; weight: 1.82g). Probably taken from original contemporary Republican coins, the reverse represents a coin minted in Rome in 103 BC by Q. Therm M. F (RRC 319/1), while the obverse represents a coin minted in Spain in 46-45 BC by CN.Magnvs Imp, M. Poblici. Leg. Propr (RRC 469 1a). This contemporary cliched forgery was probably constructed after taking impressions of these coins on silver sheet or foil. The two halves were then put together/ the edges folded over each other and the hollow cavity in the centre was probably filled with a lead alloy that would have had a low melting point. There are two visible holes in the face and edge of the coin showing that the coin is plated with a separate fill, as well as a visible irregular folding line running around the edge.


The coin is slightly worn (but this could have been caused from the original copy being worn when the impressions were made), but in a fair condition.

Ruler: Republic
Denomination: Uncertain
Material: Silver
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma facing right (Corinthian helmet).
Obverse legend: [         ]LEG.PRO before and upwards; PR behind and downwards.
Reverse: Roman soldier fighting barbarian soldier in protection of fallen comrade.
Reverse legend: [  ]ERM.[  ] in exergue.
Dated: -45.0 to -15.0
Weight (g): 1.82
Diameter (mm): 1.3
Thickness (mm): 17.7
Preservation: Fair
Parish: Shenstone
District: Lichfield
County: Staffordshire
Region: West Midlands
Discovery method: Metal detector