Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 430 10 Oct 2018
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Commemorative Series. AD 330-354. Æ (11.7mm, 1.05 g, 3h). Imitating Urbs Roma type. Unofficial mint in East Anglia. Struck circa AD 335-339. Helmeted, draped, and cuirassed bust of Roma left / Wolf and twins; two stars above; uncertain mintmark in exergue. A. Marsden, "Contemporary Imitations of Constantine's Wolf & Twins Coinage" in Treasure Hunting, June-July 2001, p. 29, style 1/a. For prototype, cf. RIC VII 247. VF, dark brown patina with traces of red.
Imitations had circulated in widely in Britain during the Julio-Claudian period and the time of the Gallic Empire, but these were generally produced in Gaul and Spain. Certain imitations of the mid-330s, however, can be definitively shown to have been produced in Britain. Through hoard evidence and site finds, the tangled web of this unofficial coinage can begin to be unwoven. Adrian Marsden has used stylistic linkages to identify two major centers of production, along with three smaller locations. These unofficial mints apparently produced a great volume of counterfeit coinage, as die duplicates are scarce.
Imitations had circulated in widely in Britain during the Julio-Claudian period and the time of the Gallic Empire, but these were generally produced in Gaul and Spain. Certain imitations of the mid-330s, however, can be definitively shown to have been produced in Britain. Through hoard evidence and site finds, the tangled web of this unofficial coinage can begin to be unwoven. Adrian Marsden has used stylistic linkages to identify two major centers of production, along with three smaller locations. These unofficial mints apparently produced a great volume of counterfeit coinage, as die duplicates are scarce.