Roman Imperial, Constantine Terracotta Forger's Casting Mould. 4th century AD.

L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII, laureate head to right / VOTA PVBLICA, Severus standing to left, veiled, holding patera over altar to left. RIC 96a; RSC 777; BMCRE 178-180. 2.38gr, 19mm, 1h.

Near Very Fine.

Found Yorkshire, UK.

'Limes Denarii' (misnomer) are more or less faithful bronze copies of silver Denarii, minted on the fringes of the empire out of necessity. Perhaps they may be officially sanctioned issues for use in regions where political unrest made it hazardous to ship large amounts of silver. These low value issues could have served troops on the front and been redeemable for good coinage when they returned to the stable regions. Were they a form of military scrip meant to keep large quantities of precious metal from falling into enemy hands in the event of a defeat?

Comprising: mixed issues and reverse types. 15.17gr total, 18-20mm.

Condition as shown.

From an early 20th century collection. Acquired on the UK art market, early 2000s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian. Accompanied by a handwritten envelope.

IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust to right / ROMAE AETERNAE, Roma seated to left on shield, presenting Victory to emperor, standing to right; wreath above. MIR 1701m. 3.33gr, 21mm, 6h.

Very Fine.

Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, South Germany.