Imitations from a Romanian Hoard
Sometime prior to mid-January 2002, probably but not certainly in 2001, a large hoard was found in Romania. This consisted of approximately 5000 Roman Republican denarii, a few Alexander the Great drachms (perhaps local imitations?) and nearly 100 Dacian imitations of Republican denarii. The latest official coin was an issue of Octavian, Crawford-540/2, struck in 36 BC. The Republican imitations, at any rate the obvious ones, were removed from the hoard prior to its dispersal and sold as a group to an American collector. These coins are presented here. I examined a large portion of the official coins when they first appeared on the market, and can attest to the fact that no "barbarous", hybrid, or clearly imitative coins remained in the official portion. I wasn't yet particularly looking for imitations however, and it's quite possible, even likely, that some Dacian imitations, either very faithful copies of official coins, or struck from new dies mechanically transferred from official coins, did remain undiscovered. That's regrettable, but can't be helped, and the group that was identified is still, to my knowledge, the largest single group of Dacian imitations ever found. These coins are presently in the same collection as others previously published on this site under the name American Collection. I'm most grateful for the opportunity to study and publish these coins. As before, coins in this collection are designated by +.
M272+. Types of L. Saufeius, after 152 BC; cf. Cr-204/1, 4.25g. Both sides somewhat stylized; no obverse legend; abbreviated, recognizable reverse legend.
M273+. Various prototypes, after 152 BC; cf. Cr-204/1 for earliest occurrence of this biga configuration, 4.14g. Both sides somewhat stylized; no obverse legend; blundered, meaningless reverse legend.
M274+. Types of C. Junius, after 149 BC; cf. Cr-210/1, 4.40g. Both sides somewhat stylized; no obverse legend other than X; crude but largely correct reverse legend.
M275+. Types of C. Junius, after 149 BC; cf. Cr-210/1, 3.58g. Both sides quite stylized, with left-facing Dioscuri and retrograde reverse legend; no obverse legend other than X; blundered, retrograde, barely recognizable reverse legend.
M276+. Various prototypes, after 149 BC; cf. Cr-210/1 for earliest occurrence of this horse configuration, 3.52g. Both sides somewhat stylized; obverse X before and behind Roma; meaningless, nearly abstract reverse legend.
M277+. Types of C. Antestius(?), after 146 BC; cf. Cr-219/1(?), 3.60g. Both sides quite stylized; the apparent obverse pseudo-legend is probably part of the design; the reverse primarily depicts the Dioscuri, but with a wheel added for good measure; blundered, meaningless reverse legend.
