What Best Explains This Damage? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 851
DVCollector Bedrock of the Community United States 10045 Posts	Posted 09/26/2011 01:56 am I saw this, and it got me curious. Does this Denarius look like contemporary damage to pilfer silver--or done later? Would a coin with these cuts be accepted during Roman times? Edited by DVCollector 09/26/2011 02:35 am Report this Post to the Staff

Sap Moderator Australia 16876 Posts	Posted 09/26/2011 02:33 am What damage? This coin is a "denarius serratus", or serrated denarius. It was actually made that way, by laboriously carving little notches into the blank before the coin was struck. A very early and primitive form of edge protection, and an attempt to demonstrate the authenticity of the coin by showing that it is solid silver all the way through. The existence of contemporary counterfeit serrated denarii demonstrate that, as an anti-counterfeiting device, it was futile. Nevertheless, some of Rome's trade partners, particularly the unconquered parts of Gaul and Germany, preferred their coins to be serrated. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis Report this Post to the Staff
DVCollector Bedrock of the Community United States 10045 Posts	Posted 09/26/2011 02:37 am That's a more interesting explanation than I expected--thanks! This is the first example I've seen. Report this Post to the Staff
Bing Pillar of the Community United States 4253 Posts	Posted 09/26/2011 09:21 am There are many examples of serrated coins, and I too find them fascinating. However, over the years I have never acquired any of this type. Some day...... JW Report this Post to the Staff
dougsmit Pillar of the Community United States 1549 Posts	Posted 09/27/2011 12:42 pm Futile as Sap said! You can find fourree (silver plated over copper) ancient counterfeits of serrate coins. Most collectors avoid plated coins but these have a special interest reminding us that it is hard to stay a step ahead of those who would cheat you. Report this Post to the Staff
DVCollector Bedrock of the Community United States 10045 Posts	Posted 09/27/2011 1:19 pm Wow that's interesting! It's true that people have been counterfeiting coins for as long as coins have existed. Report this Post to the Staff
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