Triton XVII, Lot: 518. Estimate $2000. Sold for $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Counterfeiter’s die. Circa 101 BC. Iron obverse die for AR Denarius. Dimensions: overall length, 21mm; diameter, 24 mm at face, tapering to approximately 26mm at base. Of cylindrical form. Weight: 70.89 grams. Bronze face of cast impression of obverse of denarius depicting Roma, wearing winged helmet, ornamented with gryphon’s head, the visor in three pieces and peaked; X (mark of value); mounted to iron shank. Cf. Crawford pp. 560–2; cf. N. Lupu, “Aspekte des Münzumlaufs im vorrömischen Dakien” in JNG XVII (1967), pl. 6-7; cf. W. Malkmus, “Addenda to Vermeule’s catalog of ancient coin dies: Part 1” in SAN XVII.4 (September 1989), p. 82, Catalogue number 7x. EF, gray-green patina on die face, iron shank rusted and corroded, die intact. Exceptionally well preserved die face.