Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 379 27 July 2016
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BECKER FORGERIES. Marcus and Lucius Antonius. 43 BC (obv.) / 41 BC (rev.). WM Fantasy Mule Restrike (18mm, 2.80 g, 5h). Dies by Carl Wilhelm Becker (1772-1830). Bare head of Marcus right; lituus behind / Bare head of Lucius right. Hill 142. EF, slightly ragged edge, some roughness on obverse.
From the RBW Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXIV (6 May 1995), lot 535 (part of).
The obverse copies Mark Antony's first portrait issue (CRI 118), seen on denarii struck in Gaul. The reverse copies Ephesus mint issues in the name of the Lucius, Mark Antony's brother. This coinage was issued in both gold and silver (CRI 245-46).
As a young man, Carl Wilhelm Becker was sent to train as a wine merchant, despite his desire to pursue a career in the arts. Becker's wine business failed by 1803, and he subsequently undertook training as an engraver at the Munich mint. It appears Becker was producing copies of ancient coins by at least 1806, and he would go on to produce some 350 dies of classical and medieval coins, both common and rare. It was disputed then as now whether his intent was to defraud. While it is true he would offer coins to collectors and museums as study pieces, they would also frequently turn up in the trays of antiquarian dealers as genuine. Following Becker's death in 1830, his dies were transferred to the Berlin Museum, which used them to strike off-metal copies that were made available to museums, dealers, and collectors.
From the RBW Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXIV (6 May 1995), lot 535 (part of).
The obverse copies Mark Antony's first portrait issue (CRI 118), seen on denarii struck in Gaul. The reverse copies Ephesus mint issues in the name of the Lucius, Mark Antony's brother. This coinage was issued in both gold and silver (CRI 245-46).
As a young man, Carl Wilhelm Becker was sent to train as a wine merchant, despite his desire to pursue a career in the arts. Becker's wine business failed by 1803, and he subsequently undertook training as an engraver at the Munich mint. It appears Becker was producing copies of ancient coins by at least 1806, and he would go on to produce some 350 dies of classical and medieval coins, both common and rare. It was disputed then as now whether his intent was to defraud. While it is true he would offer coins to collectors and museums as study pieces, they would also frequently turn up in the trays of antiquarian dealers as genuine. Following Becker's death in 1830, his dies were transferred to the Berlin Museum, which used them to strike off-metal copies that were made available to museums, dealers, and collectors.