MOESIA & THRACE. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 24.49 g, 1h). Countermarks applied under Nero, 54-68, and Galba, April–June AD 68. Host Poor, c/m’s VF.

Electronic Auction 539
Lot: 420. Estimated: $ 200

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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MOESIA & THRACE. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 24.49 g, 1h). Countermarks applied under Nero, 54-68, and Galba, April–June AD 68. GALBA and in NER•C•PP rectangular countermark on a sestertius of Divus Augustus. Pangerl 86 for Galba; Pangerl –; Martini 1.4012 for Nero. Dark green patina, spots of roughness and deposits, cleaning scratches. Host Poor, c/m’s VF.

From the Richard Baker Collection.

The extremely rare (NE)R•C•PP countermark is read by Martini as ending IMP, and was known to him from only two examples. While he interprets it as a stamp of Nero, and even hypothesizes it to be an unskillfully copied NCPAR, the collector believes it to be a stamp of Nerva. We note that it is much more clearly and deeply impressed than the GALBA stamp on both this and the specimen illustrated by Martini. This may be a result of the GALBA stamp being applied in higher relief areas more prone to wear. The debate could be ultimately settled if an example were found with one countermark applied over the other.

Closing Date and Time: 31 May 2023 at 12:19:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 20% buyer’s fee.