Unusual Roman Republican Coins

This is a short presentation of unusual countermarks or bankersmarks on roman republican coins. The theories about the countermarks or bankersmarks presented in this page assumed to be true unless otherwise proven.

Bankersmarks in shape of circles or half-circles on Legionary Denarii are quite common, in contrary to letters or other shapes which are rather seldom.

1. This very worn legionary denarius was stamped with a shape which seems to be a latin 'B'.

Explanation: Probably the personal sign of a banker or money-changer.

2. Another very worn legionary denarius, stamped with a shape which seems to be a greek 'delta'.

Explanation: Legionary denarii were sometimes stamped with a latin 'D', which stands for 'Denarius'. This indicated it as a legal tender. The greek 'delta' in this case maybe represents the greek counterpart of the latin 'D', which is a 'delta'.

3. Sextus Pompeius Fostlus 137 BC, Crw. 235/1
Stamp on the cheek of Roma in form of a crosswire.

Explanation: Probably the personal sign of a banker or money-changer.

4. T. Manlius Mancinus, Appius Claudius Pulcher and Q. Urbinius 111 - 110 BC, Crw. 299/1b
Stamp 'ME' beneath chin.

Explanation: Probably the personal sign of a banker or money-changer.

5. This very worn republican As was stamped with a shape which seems to be a latin 'S'. Weight: 24.9g

Explanation: Probably a revaluation of the As to a Semis due wear.

6. This republican As was stamped with 2 shapes which seem to be latin 'S'. Weight: 37.5g

Explanation: Probably a revaluation of the As to a Semis by accident and stamped again to make it 2 Semis = 1 As again.
The almost parallel orientation of the 2 'S' support this theory.

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