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This page is dedicated to the study of Celtic, barbarian, local and other unofficial silver imitation issues of Roman denarii and antoniniani spanning approximately four centuries - ca. 150 BC to ca. 250 AD.

All coins displayed on this page, to the best of my knowledge, are struck on solid silver (even though often debased)!

“Type” is defined here as any pair of unique dies. Wherever possible I have indicated if one particular die was used in striking more that one type (i.e. it was paired with more than one die).

I want to express special thanks to Doug Smith for ongoing discussion especially on the Severan era imitations series!

Total number of types illustrated on this site:

Roman Republic - 53

Imperatorial - 2

Imperial - 241

Roman Republic

#1

Obverse: laureate head of Apollo right

Reverse: Bull charging right, blundered legend underneath trying to spell “L THORIVS / BALBVS”

Weight: 3.78g

Comments: the reverse imitates a Thorius Balbus silver denarius originally minted in 105 B.C.; however, the reverse clearly features a head Apollo instead of the Juno as is on the prototype. Unlike the charging bull scene on reverse laureate head of Apollo appears on a number of Republican types and is harder to pin down to a specific prototype.

#2

Obverse: helmeted head of Roma right

Reverse: unknown deity (Jupiter?) in triga right

Weight: 4.74g!

Comments: imitation (most likely Celtic) of a “generic” Roman Republic denarius. Although trigas appear on a very select number of Republican types the composition of this coin indicates that the die cutter was trying to copy a quadriga but wasn’t familiar with the concept or perhaps ran out of space. There were several types issued between 130 and 100 B.C. which seem as the likely prototype.

#3

Obverse: wreathed head of young Bacchus right

Reverse: Pegasus springing right (and down!) from a tablet inscribed with garbled legend attempting to spell “Q TITI”

Weight: 3.81g

Comments: see #26 and #27 below for similar types. Imitation of a denarius originally struck by Q. Titius (Titia 2, Cr341/2, Syd 692) in 90 B.C. Remarkable rendition of the reverse!

#4

Obverse: laureate head of Apollo Vejovis (?) right, garbled inscription on both sides

Reverse: unknown deity in quadriga right, garbled inscription below

Weight: 3.42g

Comments: discerning the prototype is hard but this rendition of Apollo with long vertical locks appears on several coins dating 90-70 B.C.

#5

Obverse: laureate head of Apollo right

Reverse: unknown deity in quadriga (four horses with three heads!) right, partially blundered legend below

Weight: 3.88g

#6

Obverse: diademed head of Venus right, “S.C” inscription attempted behind head

Reverse: grain ear, fasces and caduceus

Weight: 2.54g

Comments: imitation of a denarius by C. Norbanus originally struck in 83 B.C., also see #41 below

#7

Obverse: veiled (?) head right

Reverse: horseman galloping left

Weight: 3.32g

#8

Obverse: helmeted head of Roma right

Reverse: unknown deity (Victory?) in triga right, “W” above and below the horses, garbled legend in exergue

Weight: 2.99g

#9

Obverse: helmeted head of Roma right

Reverse: unknown deity (Victory?) in quadriga right

Weight: 3.61g

Comments: imitation (most likely Celtic) of a “generic” Roman Republican denarius

Picture courtesy of Barry P. Murphy

#10

Obverse: diademed head of Venus right

Reverse: globe between rudder, scepter and wreath, inscription resembling “RAVISC”

Weight: 3.31g

Comments: reverse resembling denarius of Cn. Lentulus (Cornelia 54, Syd 752, Cr393/1a) struck in 75 B.C. References - Gohl, NZ 35 (1903), S. 154, 19. Dessewffy 506 var. BMC 267 var. Dembski 1571 var., ex Lanz 120, lot 21

Picture from CoinArchives

#11

Obverse: crude head right

Reverse: globe between rudder, scepter and wreath, inscription resembling “RAVISC”

Weight: 3.24g

Comments: reverse similar to #10 i.e. denarius of Cn. Lentulus struck in 75 B.C. References - Gohl, NZ 35 (1903), S. 154, 19. Dessewffy 506 var. BMC 267 var. Dembski 1571 var., ex AG 29, lot 124

Picture from CoinArchives

#12

Obverse: stylized diademed head of Apollo right, pseudoinscription “III LLLLL” to left

Reverse: stylized Minerva (?) with spear riding in quadriga to left, pseudoinscription below “VVVV”

Weight: 4.79 g

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts of the Hungarian group. References CR. 342/4 (denarius of C Vibius Pansa). LT -. Dessewffy -. BMC -. Dembski -. Slg. Lanz -, Ex Lanz 120, lot 23

Picture from CoinArchives

#13

Obverse: stylized laureate head of Apollo right, “K” behind head, zigzag line and “X” in front

Reverse: horseman galloping left, “…XX…” in exergue

Weight: 4.42g!

Comments: both obverse and reverse style is very similar to #7 above and can be considered product of the same workshop. The reverse die may even be the same but because of the double strike it is impossible to be sure. Listed as Celtic imitation of Hungarian origin. References - similar to CR. 340/1 (denarius of L Calpurnius Piso). LT -. Dessewffy - (see Pl. XXXI, 765). BMC -. Dembski - (see 1584). Slg. Lanz -, ex Lanz 117, lot 62

Picture from CoinArchives

#14

Obverse: listed as laureate head of Apollo right but it looks to me more like a wreathed head of Bacchus, ”X” in right field

Reverse: unknown deity holding scepter (Minerva?) riding in quadriga (?) left

Weight: 4.34g!

Comments: listed as Celtic imitation of Hungarian origin. References - similar to CR 342/4b (denarius of C. Vibius Pansa). LT -. Dessewffy -. BMC -. Dembski -. Slg. Lanz -, ex Lanz 117, lot 63

Picture from CoinArchives

#15

Obverse: stylized diademed head right (Venus?, Apollo?), pseudoinscription “IVLVL” in left field, “X” in right

Reverse: unknown stylized deity (Victory?) riding in triga right, pseudoinscription “VLWCIL” in exergue

Weight: 3.08g

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin. References - similar to CR. 382/1 (C. Naevius Balbus). LT -. Dessewffy - (see Pl. XXXI, 763). BMC -. Dembski -. Slg. Lanz -., ex Lanz 117, lot 65

Picture from CoinArchives

#16

Obverse: male head with short curly hair right, pseudoinscription zigzag lines in felt and right field

Reverse: highly stylize biga to left, garbled inscription in exergue

Weight: 3.32g

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin., ex Lanz 112, lot 10

Picture from CoinArchives

#17

Obverse: stylized laureate male head right, scepter (?) behind

Reverse: unknown deity (Victory?) holding wreath and riding in quadriga right

Weight: 3.29gg

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin., ex Lanz 112, 12

Picture from CoinArchives

#18

Obverse: helmeted head of Roma right, pseudoinscription “LLLLL” in left field and “X” in right

Reverse: unknown deity (Victory?) holding palm branch and riding galloping quadriga right, pseudoinscription “LLLLL” below horses and garbled pseudoinscription in exergue

Weight: 3.63g

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin., ex Lanz 112, 13

Picture from CoinArchives

#19

Obverse: stylized head of Juno Sospita right, “E” below chin, branch behind her head

Reverse: stylized female figure dressed in long robe left, strange almost mystical objects in left and right field, garbled legend in exergue

Weight: 2.81g

Comments: attributed to the Eraviscii Celts. See #20, #37 and #38 below for similar examples. References - Gohl 43. LT 10083. BMC S 247., ex Lanz 109, lot 27

Picture from CoinArchives

#20

Obverse: stylized head of Juno Sospita right, “E” below chin, branch behind her head

Reverse: stylized female figure dressed in long robe left, strange almost mystical objects in left and right field, garbled legend in exergue

Weight: 3.06g

Comments: attributed to the Eraviscii Celts. See #19 above and, #37 and #38 below for similar examples. References - Gohl 46. LT 10083. BMC S 247., ex Lanz 109, lot 28

Picture from CoinArchives

#21

Obverse: listed as laureate head of Apollo right but it looks to me like wreathed head of Bacchus, “A” and priestly implement (lituus) in left field and “_*” below chin

Reverse: fight between a horseman wielding sword charging left and a falling horseman holding sword and shield and charging right, “X” in right field, pseudoinscription in exergue

Weight: 3.44g

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin. Reference - Crawford 370/1 (Denar des C. Servilius)., ex Lanz 109, lot 29

Picture from CoinArchives

#22

Obverse: stylized helmeted head of Roma right

Reverse: she-wolf left, garbled inscription above and in exergue

Weight: 3.75g

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin. Reference - CR. 388/1 (denarius of P. Satrienus)., ex Lanz 109, lot 30

Picture from CoinArchives

#23

Obverse: female head (Pietas or Venus) with oak wreath, earring and pearl necklace right, garbled inscription “CEIIS” behind

Reverse: club of Hercules upright covered in lion skin, garbled, partially retrograde inscription around

Weight: 2.81g

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin. Reference – for the obverse see Crawford 452/2 and 4-5 (denarius of C. Julius Caesar), also Crawford 444/1 (denarius of Q. Sicinius and C. Coponius)., ex Lanz 109, lot 31

Picture from CoinArchives

#24

Obverse: listed as laureate male (Apollo) head right but, it looks like a fusion between a head of Venus (the hair style and pearl necklace) and Bacchus (vine wreath), behind the head retrograde “S”

Reverse: two horses (biga?) galloping right, pseudoinscription in exergue

Weight: 3.45g

Comments: serrated flan. Attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin., ex Lanz 109, lot 32

Picture from CoinArchives

#25

Obverse: laureate bearded male head right (Jupiter?), “S.C” behind

Reverse: Victory in quadriga right, holding long palm branch and wreath, “X” below horses and “Q ANTO BAB/PR” in exergue

Weight: 3.62g

Comments: serrated flan. Attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin., References – see denarius of Q. Antonius Balbus., Dessewffy, Pl. XXXI, 756., ex Lanz 106, lot 10

Picture from CoinArchives

#26

Obverse: wreathed head of Bacchus right

Reverse: Pegasus springing right from a tablet inscribed “Q TITI”

Weight: 3.45g

Comments: see #3 above and #27 below for similar types. Imitation of a denarius originally struck by Q. Titius (Titia 2, Cr341/2, Syd 692) in 90 B.C., ex Lanz 102, lot 19

Picture from CoinArchives

#27

Obverse: wreathed head of Bacchus right

Reverse: Pegasus springing right from a tablet inscribed “Q …”

Weight: 3.48g

Comments: see #3 and #26 above for similar types. Imitation of a denarius originally struck by Q. Titius (Titia 2, Cr341/2, Syd 692) in 90 B.C., ex Lanz 102, lot 20

Picture from CoinArchives

#28

Obverse: laureate head of Apollo right

Reverse: horseman holding long palm branch galloping right, inscription “L GISO/CI” below

Weight: 3.73g

Comments: the prototype is a denarius of C. Calpurnius Piso Frugi. References - Dessewffy, Pl. XXXI, 765., also see Dembski 1584., ex Lanz 102, 21

Picture from CoinArchives

#29

Obverse: diademed head of Venus wearing pearl necklace right, pseudoinscription behind

Reverse: two clasping hands, caduceus in between, blundered and partially retrograde inscription below

Weight: 3.20g

Comments: the prototype is likely a denarius of Albinus Bruti originally minted in 48 B.C. (Postumia 10, Cr. 450/2, Syd 942.). The original has a head of Pietas instead., ex Lanz 102, lot 23

Picture from CoinArchives

#30

Obverse: helmeted head of Roma right

Reverse: unknown deity (Victory?) in galloping biga right, “VLLH...LV” pseudoinscription in exergue

Weight: 3.24g

Comments: imitation (most likely Celtic) of a “generic” Roman Republican denarius., ex Lanz 97, lot 28

Picture from CoinArchives

#31

Obverse: laureate and bearded male head right (Jupiter?), inscription “S.C” behind

Reverse: the satyr, Marsyas, standing left with wineskin over shoulder; behind him, column, “L CENSOI” in left field

Weight: 3.77g

Comments: the prototype for the reverse is a denarius of L. Marcius Censorinus originally minted in 82 B.C (Marcia 24, Syd 737, Cr363/1d.). The original has a head of Apollo on obverse., ex Lanz 97, lot 29

Picture from CoinArchives

#32

Obverse: female head right

Reverse: winged caduceus, garbled legend attempting to imitate “M PLAETORI CEST EX SC”

Weight: 3.51g

Comments: the prototype is a denarius of M. Plaetorius Mf Cestianus (Plaetoria 6, Cr405/3b) originally minted in 57 B.C., ex Lanz 97, lot 30

Picture from CoinArchives

#33a

Obverse: diademed head of Venus right

Reverse: griffin flying right, inscription “RAVSCI” below

Weight: 3.46g

Comments: attributed to the Eraviscii Celts. The obverse is taken from a Roman Republican denarius of C. Naevius Balbus (Crawford 382), the reverse one of L. Papius (Crawford 384). Circa 65-50 BC. References - CCCBM I 273; De la Tour 10078. BMC 273. Freeman 14/I = pl. 29, 19. Wien 1542., ex CNG 64, lot 11

Picture from CoinArchives

#33b

Obverse: diademed head of Venus right

Reverse: griffin flying right, inscription “RAVSCI” below

Weight: 3.32g

Comments: attributed to the Eraviscii Celts. The obverse is taken from a Roman Republican denarius of C. Naevius Balbus (Crawford 382), the reverse one of L. Papius (Crawford 384). Circa 65-50 BC. References - CCCBM I 273; De la Tour 10078. BMC 273. Freeman 14/I = pl. 29, 19. Wien 1542., ex CNG 64, lot 11

Picture from CoinArchives

#34

Obverse: diademed head of Venus right

Reverse: Victory in triga right; “CXXXIII” inscribed above

Weight: 3.68g

Comments: attributed the Celts of the Danube region imitating denarius of C. Naevius Balbus (Naevia 6, Syd 769, Cr382/1) originally minted in 79 B.C., CNG 63, lot 29

Picture from CoinArchives

#35

Obverse: laureate and bearded male head right (Jupiter?)

Reverse: unknown deity riding in triga, garbled inscription in exerue

Weight: 3.18g

Comments: attributed to the Eraviscii Celts., ex Gorny 118, 1041

Picture from CoinArchives

#36

Obverse: stylize helmeted head of Roma right

Reverse: horseman or biga galloping right (quite wild!), “O” below horse

Weight: 3.82g

Comments: attributed to the Eraviscii Celts., ex Gorny 118, 1042

Picture from CoinArchives

#37

Obverse: stylized head of Juno Sospita right, “E” below chin, branch behind her head

Reverse: Stylized female figure dressed in long robe left, strange almost mystical objects in left and right field, garbled legend in exergue

Weight: 3.36g

Comments: attributed to the Eraviscii Celts. See #19 and #20 above and #38 below for similar examples. References - Gohl 43. See #19 and #20 above for similar examples., ex Gorny 107, lot 30

Picture from CoinArchives

#38

Obverse: stylized head of Juno Sospita right, “E” below chin, branch behind her head

Reverse: stylized female figure dressed in long robe left, strange almost mystical objects in left and right field, garbled legend in exergue

Weight: g

Comments: attributed to the Eraviscii Celts. See #19, #20 and #37 above for similar examples. References - Gohl 43. Imitation of a denarius of L. Roscius Fabatus minted in 59 B.C., the actual reverse shows girl standing right feeding serpent before, symbol to left (Roscia 3, Syd 915, Cr. 412/1). See #19, #20 and #37 above for similar examples., ex AG 86, lot 734

Picture from CoinArchives

#39

Obverse: head of Venus right, retrograde “S” and “.C” behind

Reverse: Curile chair, attempt to inscribe ”CRASSIPES” in exergue

Weight: 3.62g

Comments: attributed as a Dacian imitation of Republican denarius. The obverse is taken from a Roman Republican denarius of C. Naevius Balbus (Crawford 382). The obverse imitates denarius of P Furius Crassipes Denarius (Furia 20, Syd 735; Cr356/1) minted in 83 B.C., ex AG 86, lot 736

Picture from CoinArchives

#40 Formerly in the Tony Hardy Collection

Obverse: helmeted head of Roma left, retrograde inscription “FLAC” behind

Reverse: Victory holding wreath in galloping biga right, “L.RVTILI” in exergue

Weight: 3.71g

Comments: attributed as an imitation of Republican denarius of L. Rutilius Flaccus (Rutilia #1, Cr387/1, Syd 780) originally minted in 77 B.C., ex CNG 61, lot 1402

Picture from CoinArchives

#41

Obverse: Diademed Venus right, blundered CIXLI C NOBO”N”VS inscription around

Reverse: grain ear, fasces and caduceus

Weight: ?

Comments: imitation of a denarius by C. Norbanus originally struck in 83 B.C., for a similar coin see #6 above

Picture and part of the description from FORVM ANCIENT COINS

#42

Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo right, lyre behind, blundered pseudo-inscription around

Reverse: Diana standing facing, with bow and quiver over shoulder, holding lighted torch in each hand, blundered pseudo-inscription on each side and in exergue

Weight: ?

Comments: imitation, presumably Dacian, of a denarius of P. Clodius Turrinus, Cr-494/23, Claudia 15, Syd 1117, S-492. The prototype dates from 42 BC, so this imitation was struck some time after that. This is significantly later than the norm for this sort of imitation. The piece is noteworthy not only for its marvelous obverse style and excellent preservation, but also for the long obverse legend. This legend is apparently meaningless, but the prototype has no obverse inscription at all. The reverse legend is garbled but recognizable, although it also "improves" on the original by continuing the legend in the exergue. I know of only a few parallels to this creation of a legend out of whole cloth, as it were. Mostly, Dacian and other imitators of RR denarii copied features actually present on the prototype, however much they sometimes diverged from the original.

Picture and description (comments by Phil Davis) are from FORVM ANCIENT COINS

#43

Obverse: Diademed Venus right, “S.C” behind head

Reverse: Victory (?) driving a triga right, “C.N…” in exergue

Weight: 3.82g

Comments: imitation of a denarius by C. Naevius Balbus originally struck in 79 B.C. (Naevia 6, Crawford 382/1; Syd 769). This imitation follows the original very closely but notice the crude style combined with stylistic errors like the absence of wings on what should be Victory, or the misaligned spokes of the chariot’s wheel. Also, the serration on the edge is unusually clumsy. For a similar example see #44 below.

Picture courtesy of *AAH*

#44

Obverse: Diademed Venus right, “visible undertype of Victory standing left”

Reverse: Victory (?) driving a triga right, “visible undertype of head of Apollo right”

Weight: 3.69g

Comments: imitation of a denarius by C. Naevius Balbus originally struck in 79 B.C. (Naevia 6, Crawford 382/1; Syd 769). The original seller, “oldromancoins”, listed it simply as overstuck Republican denarius with the description – “overstruck, with attributable undertype, areas of weakness. The clear undertype is from c. 92 BC. The overstrike is not serrate.” However, even casual inspection reveals that the style is unofficial (“barbaric”). Very interesting coin! Unfortunately the undertype is not so visible to me. For a similar example see #43 above.

Obverse and reverse picture from WildWinds

#45

Obverse: helmeted head of Roma right, garbled pseudoinscription to left

Reverse: Biga galloping left – 5 (!) front and 8 (!) hind legs, unknown deity in chariot, garbled pseudoinscription in exergue

Weight: 3.91g

Comments: Remarkable Celtic imitation of the Balkan types!

Picture courtesy of *AAH*

#46

Obverse: Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goatskin, symbol behind

Reverse: Gryphon prancing right, (sun?) symbol below, garbled inscription in exergue (L PAPI in the original)

Weight:

Comments: imitation of a serrated denarius by L. Papius originally struck in 79 B.C. (Papia 1, Syd 773, Cr384/1, S-311).

Picture

#47

Obverse: Head of Venus right, garbled “S.C” to left and interesting waves and dots apparently attempting to imitate an inscription

Reverse: Triga galloping right – 4 (!) front and 4 (!) hind legs, unknown deity in chariot, garbled pseudoinscription in exergue

Weight: 4.97!!!

Comments: Balkan imitation (south of Danube?) of a republican denarius. More than 1 gram heavier that the prototype and made of silver at least as pure. Imitation of C. Naevius Balbus?

Picture courtesy of *AAH*

#48

Obverse: Diademed female deity right in good style, pseudoinscription (?) all around

Reverse: Biga galloping right, unknown deity holding branch (?) in chariot, unidentified object in front of horses – remarkably stylized composition!

Weight: 3.38g

Comments: Balkan imitation (south of Danube?) of a republican denarius.

Picture courtesy of *AAH*

#49

Obverse: Diademed male deity right (Apollo?)

Reverse: Qadriga galloping right, unknown deity in chariot, nonsensical inscription in exergue

Weight: 4.30g!

Comments: Balkan imitation (south of Danube?) of a republican denarius. Double struck on both sides which makes figuring out the details even harder.

Picture courtesy of *AAH*

#50

Obverse: Head of Roma right, “Mc” behind, “X” below chin

Reverse: Unknown deity holding scepter in slow quadriga right, attempted “ROMA” inscription in exergue

Weight: ?

Comments: Balkan imitation (south of Danube?) of a republican denarius. This coin might be a fouree but the picture doesn’t make that clear.

Picture courtesy of Ancient Treasures

#51

Obverse: Diademed head of Apollo (?) right

Reverse: Unknown deity, arms spread wide, in triga right, “rain” in field

Weight: 3.55g

Comments: Balkan imitation of a republican denarius.

Picture courtesy of flaviamaximafausta

#52

Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right, garbled letters behind, “X” below chin

Reverse: Unknown deity (Victory) holding palm branch and riding biga right, garbled pseudo-inscription in exergue

Weight: 3.38g

Comments: Balkan imitation of a republican denarius.

Picture courtesy of flaviamaximafausta

#53

Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right, garbled pseudo-inscription around

Reverse: Horseman riding right, holding spear (?),garbled pseudo-inscription in exergue

Weight: 3.86g

Comments: Balkan imitation (south of Danube?) of a republican denarius.

Picture courtesy of *AAH*

Roman Imperatorial

Julius Caesar

#1

Obverse: diademed head of Venus right

Reverse: Aeneas walking left, carrying Anchises and the Palladium, inscription attempting to spell “CAESAR”

Weight: 3.56g

Comments: attributed to the Pannonian Celts and listed as of Hungarian origin. Prototype – RSC 12, Cr458/1, Syd 1013., ex Lanz 102, lot 22

Picture from CoinArchives

Cassius

#1

Obverse: CCLSSIWL …..T, diademed head of Libertas right

Reverse: ..ENTIVLVS ..N..T, jug and lituus

Weight: 3.60g

Comments: Remarkable Balkan imitation of a Cassius denarius who together with Brutus lead the abortive attempt the restore the republic. The coin is particularly interesting because the Balkans was where Cassius and Brutus were stationed after the assassination of Caesar and before their own demise at the battle