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Gemini, LLC > Auction VIAuction date: 10 January 2010
Lot number: 787

Lot description:

Otho. 69 AD. AE 28, 13.95g. Antioch, Year 117 = 69 AD. Obv: Laureate head of Otho right, oblong countermark LVS before neck, legend IMP M OT - HO downwards behind portrait and under neck (very faint), [CAE AVG] upwards before portrait (illegible). Rx: EΠI / MOYKIA / NOY AN / TIOXEΩ / N ET ZIP in five lines within laurel wreath. The coin without countermark: McAlee 319, "Ex. Rare", same dies as the specimen illustrated from the author's collection. RPC 4316 (5 specimens). Countermark: Hendin, pp. 336-8. VF.

Ex Asher Keshet Collection.

This exceptional rarity, "found in a box of junk coins in a shop near Jerusalem," was published by Dr. Gerson, New Countermark of Fifth Legion, Israel Numismatic Research 1, 2006, pp. 97-9, Fig. 1 (this coin) as the only example of this coin carrying the rare and enigmatic LVS countermark of the Legio V Scythica. LVS should mean Legio V Scythica, but it was Legio IV that had the epithet Scythica, while Legio V was Macedonica! Mucianus, mentioned in the reverse legend, was the governor of Syria who was soon to throw his support behind Vespasian in Vespasian's revolt against Vitellius.

Estimate: US$950