DIES FOR STRIKING REPUBLICAN AND EARLY IMPERIAL COINS FROM MOESIA AND THRACE: ANCIENT FORGERIES OR SOMETHING ELSE?

• Main Author: Evgeni I. Paunov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mega Publishing House 2014-04-01
• Series: Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology
• Online Access: http://jaha.org.ro/index.php/JAHA/article/view/12

This paper attempts to trace the distribution of unofficial dies for striking late Republican and early Imperial coins in Moesia and Thrace, discussing eleven dies and one hub (master die). It deals with the key issues concerning these rare numismatic finds , their occurrence in the Balkan provinces of Roman Empire and their interpretation as genuine monetary items or as forgers’ accessories. Such a large concentration of dies is found in a relatively constrained area, but so far understanding does not clearly revealed what their importance is. The problem appears to be essential for the comprehension of Roman political and military activities in the Balkans during the Augustan-Tiberian period, as well as for the general discussion on ancient coin techniques.