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Examples from the
Richard Baker Collection of
Roman Countermarks

Questions ? Please contact the owner
Partner (Mirror-) Site: romancoins.info
Click on the images for an enlargement in a new window

1. 2 As of Augustus: AVG (both coins maybe ancient cast-counterfeits) (29mm 9.6g; 28mm 11.0g)
AVG: The abbreviation of Augustus. It's usage here is an Imperial title as opposed to a personal name. Some instances of this countermark may refer to Augustus himself, but, more likely most instances refer to Tiberius and possibly Caligula. Originally bestowed upon Octavian in 27BC as an honorific title, it later became a title adopted by each reigning emperor.

2. Barbaric As of Agrippa: TIAV 26mm 5.7g
Dupondius of Germanicus: TIN (TIAV) 27mm 12.4g
TIAV: The abbreviation of Tiberius Augustus. In this instance not the emperor Tiberius, but rather Claudius whose first name was Tiberius. The name Claudius, though not present is meant to be implied by the usage of this countermark.

3. 2 As of Nero: X for Legion 10 Gemina (29mm 10.7g; 29mm 14.2g)
The legion X Gemina was stationed in Pannonia in 68AD and took no active role in the revolt against Nero. However, they did not back Galba as emperor and therefore decided to strike their own emblem on the coins of Nero, in such a way as not to deface the portrait.

4. Sestertius Nero: X countermark for Legion X. Gemina (my opinion) 34mm 23.1g
Note the "cut" on the cheek
Richard Baker has several examples of this Sestertii, two of them also have the cut across the cheek.

5. Sestertius Nero: X countermark for Legion X. Gemina (36mm 22.6g)

6. Barbaric balkan ctmked As: AVG, TICAE (26mm 8.3g; 24.5mm 4.8g)
The left specimen also has an 'incuse' S, which may signify the coins downgrading to a Semis (mentioned in another listing)
The TICAE refers to the emperor Tiberius Caesar. The abbreviation of AVG is as as mentioned before most likely another title for Tiberius.

7. 2 AE possibly Flavian: TONZOY The Tonzos was a river in Thrace. (21mm 4.3g; 22mm 3.6g)
There is an example of a 35mm coin of Domitian from Nicea in Bythinia with the same countermark.

8. 3 early Augustan As with multiple ctmk's: 2 coins have an incuse S. One has an raised S. Possibly revaluated to a semis? Also present are AVG and TI.CAE
(24mm 6.3g; 25mm 4.7g; 24.5mm 8.5g - this one is heavy. Maybe another reason for the ctmk is in order)

9. As of Augustus: Caesar monogram (27mm 8.8g; 27mm 9.7g; 27mm 9.1g)
At first personal as well as a family name, 'CAESAR' became the normal title used by the designated successor to the throne. Originally thought to refer to Germanicus, it is now apparent that it was meant to refer to Tiberius as designated heir and later as reigning 'Caesar'.

10. 3 barbaric immitative Sestertii of Claudius: DV - revaluation to a dupondius (34mm 22.1g; 34mm 13.7g; 33mm 13.9g)
The DV countermark which is short for Dupondius is in this form found on coins out of the 'balkans'. It is almost always accompanied by an edge 'cut' near the 3 o'clock position.

11. IMP - GAL (Imperator Galba 23mm 7.9g); IMPOTHO (Imperator Otho 23mm 8.2g); IMP-VES(retrograde)P (Imperator Vespasianus 23mm 8.2g); Coins of Nero from Tripolis
The title 'Imperator' referred to the undisputed head of the armies.

12. Marcus Antonius, Augustus, Claudius/Agrippina Cistophorii: IMPVESAVG (Imperator Vespasianus Augustus 26mm 10.7g; 26mm 11.1g; 25.5mm 10.4g)
Used exclusively on Cistophorii.

13. Provincial with PR (25mm 8.7g); Provincial with PR(retrograde) and LXV = Legion 15 (27.5mm 14.3g); 1 As of Nero with retrograde PR (29mm 14.3)

14. 2 As of Augustus; 1 As of Tiberius: TIB (27mm 11.3g; 27mm 9.6g; 24mm 10.6g)
TIB abbreviation for Tiberius. Almost always found on the As' with the altar of Lugdunum reverse.

15. 6 worn DIVVS As of Augustus: TI•C•A•
All 6 ctmk's appear to be from the same die!?
At least 4 more coins have been seen on ebay that appear to be from the same ctmk die.
Possibility of modern fake ctmk's applied to genuine worn coins ?
(obverses of coins above; reverses beneath)
2 appear to be countermarked on the obverse and 4 to be countermarked on the reverse. Weights vary from 7.7g to 10.4g and diameters from 25 to 28mm.
TI•C•A• refers to Tiberius Claudius Augustus (or by some as Tiberius Caesar Augustus -> still referring to Claudius). Also found on Agrippa As and Caligula As - used in the British campaign of 43AD.
NOTE: Claudius was nephew to Tiberius.
He was named after him. Although not a popular emperor Tiberius had
been one of Romes best Generals. Claudius, by this ctmk., as well as
the TIAV ctmk. may, by there ambiguous nature have intended the added
significance of not only honoring himself, but Tiberius as well for his
military exploits in behalf of his country.

16. As of Agrippa: Head of Hercules (Melqart?) 29mm 9.0g

17. Rare portrait sestertius of Tiberius, facing left: ARAT - Arationibus 35mm 24.7g
Altar Lugdunum to 'Rome&Augustus'
The ARAT monogram ctmk. seems to be found only on Tiberius Sestertii and As' minted under Augustus' later years. Arationibus appears to be a title for the top imperial fiscal administrator within designated area of operation.

18. Early As of Augustus: unknown countermark BPV 27mm 8.0g

19. Sestertius of Augustus: CAE, MT(?) (possibly NP?) 33.5mm 20.1g
Since the CAE (for Caesar) is of barbaric style, the other ctmk. is most likely a blundered, barbaric version of IMP.

20. Maybe Augustus, but more probably Claudius: AMR monogram (Amorim, Asia) (19mm 4.9g) Howgego 604

21. Sestertius of Augustus (P. Licinius Stolo): APRON - Lucius Apronius (governor in Africa & elsewhere under Tiberius) 37mm 25.3g
There are other versions of APRONI.

22. Dupondius of Antonia: BON meaning 'Bonum' = slang for 'good' 33mm 15.6g

23. Unknown coin with extremely rare ctmk's: CAESAR 25mm 10.0g bevelled edge

24. Imitative As of Drusus struck after 22AD: Monogram for title CAESAR (25 by 28mm 9.7g)
Here we have the identifying host coin which proves that the earlier assumption that this was a Germanicus ctmk. is not possible. Germanicus died in 19AD. The earliest possible date for this host coin is after 22AD.

25. Sestertius of Caligula with unknown incuse ctmk (35mm 28.9g) (resembles overlapping 'M's)

26. As of Caligula: unknown ctmk 28mm 11.0g
Scarcer host coin struck in the last few months of his reign.

27. Sestertius of Claudius: Balkan Mint: Capricorn with symbol beneath 38mm 26.4g
The Capricorn, originally a sign related to Augustus, it became a symbol of Vespasianus' reign also. The emblem beneath could be variously interpreted as a plough or a globe with ships rudder (as on Tiberian dupondii)

28. Another imitative sestertius of Claudius: Capricorn with symbol beneath (38mm 26.4g)

29. Sestertius of Claudius: 4 ctmks: PRO, TIAV, IMP, BON (35mm 21.5g)
1. PRO - Probatum meaning 'approved'
2. TIAV -Tiberius Augustus i.e. the emperor Claudius
3. IMP - Imperator
4. BON - Bonum - slang for 'good'

30. As of Claudius: Capricorn; object (globe? rudder?) beneath 29mm 11.9g

31. Large 'pseudo' Sestertius of Claudius: Bearded head of Hercules in circle 35mm 18.8g

32. Sestertius of Claudius: Gallic Mint: LVI and club of Hercules ctmk. for Legion VI Victrix 36mm 22.8g
The legion VI Victrix was Galba's personal legion, under his command. It was the first to declare him emperor.

33. Imitative sestertius of Claudius: British or, more likely Gallic Mint: PROB ctmk. = "Probatum" meaning approved. (41mm 24.8g)
It's use was peculiar to British finds.

34. Another imitative Sestertius of Claudius: ROB ctmk. A rare variant of PROB 36.5mm 26.8g

35. Provincial of Tiberius from Commagene: Cornucopiae ctmk. (29mm 13.3g Howgego 401)

36. AE 24 mm of Augustus from Colonia Patricia, Spain: C •PA monogram ctmk. for Colonia Patricia (9.9g)

37. Domitianus coin of Antioch: Minerva ctmk (28mm 13.5g)
Minerva was Domitians favorite diety. As such this probably had some sort of official imperial as opposed to colonial use.

38. Imitative Sestertius (brockage) of Claudius: DV for dupondius (32mm 11.7g)

39. 2 coins of Tiberius from Antioch, Syria: GAB (Gaius, year two); GAG (Gaius, year three) (26mm 13.39g; 26mm 13.5g) Howgego 521 & 522
There are no known AE issues from Antioch for Caligulas short reign.

40. Sestertius Nero Claudius Drusus: GALBA ctmk. (35mm 27.6g Howgego 591). Rare latin GALBA ctmk. struck twice, once over earlier ctmk.

41. Another Sestertius of Nero Claudius Drusus: GALBA ctmk. (38mm 26.8g) 'GALBA' struck twice, once over an ealier ctmk.

42. Balkan mint As' of Nero: GALBA ctmk. in greek (28mm 10.7g; 28mm 9.9g)

43. Rare spanish denarius of Galba: IMP•VES (18mm 3.2g)
The coins obverse inscription reads Imperator Galba. It was struck when he was nominally declaring himself the general of the Senate and people of Rome, but not (albeit deceptively) the emperor. The ctmk. IMP•VES says the same words, but with a different meaning. There the head of the armies is the declared emperor.

44. Sestertius Nero: GAL•CA for Galba Caesar 35mm 22.8g

45. Sestertius Nero: GAL•CA for Galba Caesar 35mm 24.3g
Two "rare" unlisted "latin" variant ctmk's instead of the usual greek GALKAI. Both coins from balkan mint (Perinthus?)
There are so far 5 known, all of which appear to be from the same ctmk. die. 3 are on Nero Sestertii, 1 is on a Claudius Sestertius and 1 is on an unknown Julio-Claudian Sestertius.

46. Large sestertius sized coin (33mm 18.1g) of Nero: mint of Perinthus
GALKAI = Galba Caesar - Howgego 527

47. Another example: same as above: 32mm 19.8g

48. Modern fake cast coin resembling balkan Nero As with GALKAI ctmk.

49. Hadrian from Antioch, Syria: Laurel branch ctmk. (associated with Apollo at Antioch) (25mm 11.2g; 26mm 16.1g) Howgego 378

50. As of Augustus cut for change: IMP - Imperator (27.5mm 6.7g)

51. Imitative Sestertius: DV ctmk. (retrograde) - cut in half for change (35mm longwise 14.1g)

52. Early Augustan Sestertius: Radiate head of Helios r.; std. lunar deity with crescent above head
For some inexplicable reason, Prof. Martini refers to this type as a 'nailed helmet'. Sometimes this 'radiate' head is found struck twice on examples of Augustan sestertii and, occasionally, it is found paired with this standing lunar diety. This latter type should make the 'Helios' designation of the other countermark a certainty.

53. AE of Augustus: KLIA in circle - Claudius year 12 (52AD) 2.7g Howgego 546

54. AE of Augustus (or Tiberius): LII - Legion 2 (27mm 12.0g)

55. AE of Antioch (possibly Claudius): XII - Legion 12 struck over Cornucopiae; (26mm 12.9g Howgego 737)

56. Sestertius of Agrippina Sr.: NCAPR ctmk. 35mm 26.4g
NCAPR: There are several interpretations of what this, the most interesting of all Julio-Caludian ctmk., means. The two most likely are:
1. Nero Ceasar Augustus Populi Romani
2. Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit
In the first instance it is a congiarium or public dole given by Nero to the people of Rome. In the second, it is a revalidation of the earlier coins of ones predecessors still in circulation.

57. Sestertius Claudius: NCAPR ctmk.; gallic mint (35mm 24.1g)
Both a brockage of a sestertius and ctmked with NCAPR

58. Another rare example: Sestertius of Claudius: NCAPR ctmk.; Also a brockage as well as a ctmk. Unofficial mint (35mm 24.5g)

59. 4 modern fakes of Claudius Sestertii with NCAPR ctmk. (all 34mm; 22.4g; 22.9g; 22.9g; 23.9g)
Top two appear to be copperish or bronze coating over a 'pewter' colored metal - flaking at edges on top left example.
Photographed and documented as a fake in Gregory G. Brunks articles, 'The Ancient Countermarks', appearing in the Nov., Dec. 1974 and Jan. 1975 issues of the 'Numismatist'.

60. As of Nero: incuse PR (31mm 12.6g)
PR - Populi Romani - connected with Vindex' revolt in Gaul in March 68AD.
Very unusual as an incuse ctmk.

61. Sestertius of Nero: [PI] for Palmyra and the aramaic T for Tadmor (original name for Palmyra) 35.5mm 21.8g Howgego 683
An almost exact specimen of this countermark was noted on a Sestertius of Nero with a Port of Ostia reverse.

62. Sestertius of Nero: PR (retrograde) - revolt of Vindex 34mm 21.3g

63. As of Nero: PR - Populi Romani - Revolt of Vindex 27mm 9.6g

64. Unofficial Sestertius Claudius: PROB (peculiar to Britain - Probatum -> approved) 37mm 23.9g

65. Possible imitative sestertius of Claudius: PRO, BON, IMP 38mm 24.7g
1. PRO = Probatum - 'approved'
2. BON = Bonum - 'good'
3. IMP = Imperator

66. Sestertius Claudius: PRO, IMP ctmks. Unofficial mint 36mm 26.6g
Probatum and Imperator here combined to say Imperatori Probavit - 'with imperial approval'.

67. Sestertius of Severus Alexander: 3 numerals resembling '25', '26' and '27'
similar in style to that found on 16th century 'spanish' Flanders&Brabant coins (28mm 18.9g)
Possibly used as a weight of some kind in one of the various 'Guild Halls' - traces of lead along one section of the rim has been removed

68. As of Nero: SPQR Mark of Vindex (27.5mm 10.2g)
SPQR - Senatus Populusque Romanus - 'the senate and people of Rome'

69. As of Augustus: T•C•P•A = Tiberius Caesar Permissu Augusti ("Tiberius Caesar", with the permission of Augustus) (25mm 11.0g)
T•C•P•A used near the end of Augustus' reign, but possibly before he designated Tiberius as his heir.

70. Sestertius Nero Claudius Drusus: TIAV (35mm 29.4g)
TIAV - Tiberius Augustus i.e the emperor Claudius

71. Very worn coin with TIB •C •AVF monogram ctmk. for Tiberii Caesarii Augusti Filii = Tiberius "the Caesar, son of Augustus"

72. Provincial of Traianus: JG (modern ctmk - looks to be 19th century) (27mm 10.1g)

73. Early As of Augustus (moneyer P. Lurius Agrippa): AVG, VAR (Varus monogram) 26mm 10.1g

74. Sestertius Claudius: VESPA monogram ctmk; Extremely rare on this host coin (34mm 27.0g)
VESPA monogram for Vespasian. Unknown on a Claudius sestertius ? Possibly unique ?

75. As of Nero: VESPA monogram 29mm 10.9g

76. As of Nero: VESPA monogram 30mm 10.6g
The VESPA monogram ctmk. was struck in such a way as to not deface the image of Nero. Vespasianus was never in revolt against Nero, only the hated usurpers after him (this refers to Otho and Vitellius but not Galba, whom Vespasianus honored with a postumous coinage). By pairing his monogram next to the image and legends of Nero, he was trying to create a visual link to the now extinct Julio-Claudian dynasty.

77. Denarius of Vespasianus 72AD: IMP•VES (18mm 3.2g)
Extremely rare. Only a few known eastern mint denarii, which have been mistakenly countermarked with his own monogram.

78. Vespasianus coin of Antioch: Minerva ctmk 29mm 17.0g Howgego 245
This countermark is usually found on Domitian coins, occasionally on Nero coins and extremely rare on Vespasian.

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