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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,014 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Just realized I never shared this fun curiosity: Gallienus AE Antoninianus GALLIENVS AVG, radiate bust right DIANAE CONS AVG, stag walking left, officina mark below RIC 179 (var left, X)   Is that... a cross under the stag? Nope, the celator just goofed and engraved the officina mark (X for Rome, 10th officina) a little crooked. Conspiracy theories aside, the celator was probably a Jove-fearing good Pagan who got a little sloppy with their work. But, on a series intended to deplore the gods for protection of the Empire and the Emperor, such a mistake probably would not have been tolerated lightly! |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Looks like the die cutter might have been a Christian and took a chance. But come to think of it I don't believe this form of the cross was used this early. If anything it would have been a Chi Rho or a fish.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6130 Posts |
It is a fun thought! I did a little poking around, and despite what little hard evidence survives, it appears that cross-veneration among early Christians dates back at least to the 2nd century, although they apparently drew the cross as a capital T rather than the form we are used to today. Here's an interesting light read: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ale...nos_graffito |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Quote:
...the celator just goofed and engraved the officina mark (X for Rome, 10th officina) a little crooked. Just curious, Steve: Why do you assume the officina mark is crooked? Couldn't that mark actually be the only thing on the reverse that is correct?:   Edited by Kamnaskires
07/18/2017 9:14 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
I think you got it Bob  Now to sell it on ebay to get the scratch for an XF Otho denarius  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Cute, Bob. But seriously, Steve, what is the NORMAL orientation of this mark as it has appeared on other examples of this coin? If they are ALWAYS oriented like this, then it is not a mistake by a Celator, it is part of the design, and is intentional. Do you have a counter-example? Edited by lrbguy
07/19/2017 11:28 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
I do get the point. Very interesting find. Thanks for showing us this.
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,014 |
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Posted 07/18/2017 4:52 pm
