Estimate: 1.300 EURThrace,
Byzantion.
Stater (250–1st century BC).
Condition: ef+
69
Estimate: 1.800 EURRoman Empire,
Matidia.
Denarius (112 AD), Rome.
Condition: very rare, vf /vf+.
222
Estimate: 11.000 EURRoman Empire,
Julian II. Apostata as Caesar.
Solidus (355–357 AD), Rome.
Condition: unc
581
Estimate: 6.000 EURDenmark,
Frederik IV.
Double-Ducat 1704, Copenhagen.
With certificate of authenticity.
Condition: ef-
681
Estimate: 1.000 EURIreland,
George III.
6 Shilling Token 1804.
Condition: PL
805
Estimate: 1.000 EURNetherlands,
Friesland.
Adler-Taler 1598.
Condition: Very rare, vf
886
Estimate: 2.000 EURSinzendorf,
Johann Wilhelm.
Ducat 1753, Nuremberg.
Condition: rare, lightly worked, vf-
1165
Estimate: 2.000 EURPomerania-Stettin,
Bogislaus XIV.
Taler 1629.
Condition: very rare, very fine details, vf+.
1385
Estimate: 1.200 EURReuss,
younger line,
Heinrich XIV.
2 Mark 1884 A.
Condition: unc-
2059
Estimate: 12.500 EURDependencies, Danzig.
25 Gulden 1923.
Condition: PCGS PR62
2681
Archive: People and Markets

How the Romans Made Counterfeits

Counterfeits have been around in ancient Roman times, too. Romans made counterfeit cast coins from a copper-tin alloy. The alloy imitates the appearance of real silver coins. In an interdisciplinary research project at the University of Tübingen (Germany), the production process of these counterfeits has been successfully reconstructed for the first time.

The steps involved ranged from pressing coins into clay moulds to imprint the shape of the coin, to melting the components of the alloy up to the actual casting process. Thanks to the results of the experimental project, we can now better understand the phenomenon of counterfeit coins in the Roman Empire.

PD Dr. Stefan Krmnicek provides his numismatic perspective to the interdisciplinary project.

PD Dr. Stefan Krmnicek provides his numismatic perspective to the interdisciplinary project.

The interdisciplinary team consists of:

  • Alexander Zimmermann of Schmiede und Schlosserei Zimmermann (a blacksmith’s workshop), Pliezhausen,
  • Annette Flicker and Dr. Christoph Berthold of the Competence Center Archaeometry- Baden-Wuerttemberg CCA-BW, University of Tübingen, and
  • Rebecca Sandbichler, Mona Hähnle and PD Dr. Stefan Krmnicek from the Institute of Classical Archaeology, University of Tübingen

The work was documented on film. The result can be seen on the official YouTube channel of the University of Tübingen. The video is in German, but has professional English subtitles.

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