Watch List notes:

C. Norbanus, 83 BC, and C. Valerius Flaccus, 82 BC. 2 Denarii (Silver, 29x37 mm, 6.20 g), two contemporary imitative denarii cast together. A highly unusual and interesting item. Corroded and with significant parts of the flans missing, otherwise, very fine.


This very unusual item consists of two cast imitative Republican denarii of C. Norbanus, 83 BC, and C. Valerius Flaccus, 82 BC, connected together with their original casting sprues. Obviously, this is the product of an unofficial mint, which fabricated imitations by casting silver into molds taken from struck original denarii. It is unclear whether this was done semi-officially by local authorities to create some sort of emergency money or by counterfeiters, but the present piece was likely thrown away as it was improperly casted and fell apart after opening the molds.