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Live Bidding Saturday 2nd May 2026 03:00:00 PM CET
Greek Coins (1-128)
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L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi. AR Sestertius, Barbaric imitation (?), late 1st century BC. D/ Laureate head of Apollo right; behind, blundered legend. R/ Horseman galloping right, holding palm-branch; above and below, blundered legend. Cf. RRSC Ds136a (for prototype); Cf. Cr. 340/3a (for prototype). 0.55 g. 10 mm. RRRRR. About VF. The obverse legend should read PISO (arranged downwards), although the inscription is entirely illegible on the present specimen, with only faint traces that might be interpreted as an N and possibly a V or A. On the reverse, the expected legend E·L·P above the horse and FRVGI below is likewise not discernible; instead, the surfaces show what appears to be a thunderbolt above and blundered or pseudo-legendary forms beneath.
The coin is in low grade of preservation; however, the irregularities in the legends, both on obverse and reverse, are unlikely to be solely the result of wear. Rather, they seem to have been engraved in a blundered or corrupted form from the outset. This suggests the possibility of a contemporary imitation, perhaps of so-called “barbarous” origin. Nevertheless, the overall style is not as crude or caricatural as typically observed in Dacian imitative issues, leaving the question of attribution open.
The silver sestertius of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi is an extremely rare denomination, known from only a handful of specimens. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example to appear on the market exhibiting such anomalous and blundered legends.
The coin is in low grade of preservation; however, the irregularities in the legends, both on obverse and reverse, are unlikely to be solely the result of wear. Rather, they seem to have been engraved in a blundered or corrupted form from the outset. This suggests the possibility of a contemporary imitation, perhaps of so-called “barbarous” origin. Nevertheless, the overall style is not as crude or caricatural as typically observed in Dacian imitative issues, leaving the question of attribution open.
The silver sestertius of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi is an extremely rare denomination, known from only a handful of specimens. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example to appear on the market exhibiting such anomalous and blundered legends.
Watch:
Starting price:
€ 300
Number of bids: -
Minimum bid: € 300
B.P.: 20.00%
Closing on: 2026-05-02 14:00:00 Roma time