Lot 4717

Description

(Vespasian - Titus), Moesia & Thrace, period of Vespasian and Titus (A.D. 69-79; 79-81), (4.95 grams), AE as with countermarks of TI CAE and AVG, both within separate squares on an Augustus AE as from Ephesus mint, (Martini, No.6 and 50, Pangerl Collection of Countermarked Imperial coins type 83 and 90 almost all are reported carry both countermarks], host coin RIC 486); another similar (5.29 grams), AE dupondiius on an Augustus issue of C.Asinius Gallus of 16 - 15 B.C., with countermark of TI.CAE and AVG, this a similar issue, (Martini, No 6 nd 50, Pangerl Collection of Countermarked Imperial coins type 83 and 90, host coin, RIC 372). Countermarks very fine, host coin fair - fine and both rare. (2)

Martini notes the letters which he believes to mean TI(tus?) C(aesar) A(ugustus) and AVG(ustus). He notes this issues as struck on generally issues of Augustus as is this issue with SC in centre or the "Ephesus" type. Martini places the issue of this type to the period of Vespasian and Titus. It was in a Thrace-Moesia area that this countermark was applied to circulating worn coinage. The Pangerl collection contained 19 examples of these countermarks on the Ephesus coin . Most issues known are of similar weight. The second coin is noted in the Pangerl collection for only 6 coins (90 c-h).