GERMANIA INFERIOR. Æ As (26mm, 10.68 g, 6h). Countermarks applied during the reign of Tiberius, AD 14-37.

Electronic Auction 509
Lot: 307. Estimated: $ 150

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 110. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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GERMANIA INFERIOR. Æ As (26mm, 10.68 g, 6h). Countermarks applied during the reign of Tiberius, AD 14-37. VAR(?) monogram in rectangular countermark on an as of Augustus. Pangerl 52. Brown surfaces. Host Fair, c/m Fine.

This countermark is traditionally attributed to P. Qunctilius Varus, Augustus’ famed general and governor of Germania, who suffered a devastating defeat when legions under his command were annihilated in the Battle of Teutoberger Forest. However, Martini (Pangerl p. l [for English version]) notes the existence of one example of this countermark applied over a Tiberian TIB stamp from Gaul, indicating that this type must date to after the defeat of Varus. Other suggested interpretations of the monogram include LAP (Legatus Augusti [pro] Praetori), AVR(elius), or V(ictoria) A(ugusta) R(omana), or that it does indeed refer to Governor Varus, but as some sort of posthumous commemorative. None of these explanations are particularly convincing. See Pangerl p. xlvii-li for a detailed discussion of the countermark and its context.

Closing Date and Time: 9 February 2022 at 11:42:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.