Posted 03/26/2017 12:19 pm
These copies do surface from time to time at coin shows or in coin shops. The last one I remember being offered at auction was by CNG -- a Galvano (gold foil covered) copy some years ago.
I have had this bronze copy in my collection for many years -- I bought it at a local coin shop for, I think, about $20 sometime in the 1980s.
The original is depicted and described by Askew in "The Coinage of Roman Britain" (#580, page 54) and in RIC volume VI (Trier No. 34). The reverse legend (restorer of eternal light) alludes to the restoration of Britain to the Roman Empire by Constantius after his victory over the usurper Augustus, Allectus, in AD 296. This, and four other similar gold medallions, was part of the famous Arras hoard discovered in 1922. According to Dr. Bastien's book on the Arras Hoard, this medallion (No. 218) resides in the museum at Arras and is unique. The hoard included other Tetrarchic gold medallions but only the one of this type. Bastien points out that galvano copies of the medallion were made and sold by the Paris coin dealer Bourgey in the early 1960s. Evidently cast bronze and gold/silver coated copies were also produced.
I have had this bronze copy in my collection for many years -- I bought it at a local coin shop for, I think, about $20 sometime in the 1980s.
The original is depicted and described by Askew in "The Coinage of Roman Britain" (#580, page 54) and in RIC volume VI (Trier No. 34). The reverse legend (restorer of eternal light) alludes to the restoration of Britain to the Roman Empire by Constantius after his victory over the usurper Augustus, Allectus, in AD 296. This, and four other similar gold medallions, was part of the famous Arras hoard discovered in 1922. According to Dr. Bastien's book on the Arras Hoard, this medallion (No. 218) resides in the museum at Arras and is unique. The hoard included other Tetrarchic gold medallions but only the one of this type. Bastien points out that galvano copies of the medallion were made and sold by the Paris coin dealer Bourgey in the early 1960s. Evidently cast bronze and gold/silver coated copies were also produced.
Edited by jamesicus
03/26/2017 12:51 pm
03/26/2017 12:51 pm
