Objekt 9710
False Antiquity
Description
The imagination of the Renaissance
For a long time comparatively few ancient coins were actually known. This opened the door to the fabrication of «ancient coins» which, according to ancient literature, could have actually existed, but in fact never did.
Object description
1. Medal by Alessandro Cesati (active in Rome 1538–1561) on the legendary Queen Dido of Carthage, mid-16th c.
Silver cast, chased
Inv. 1915.312. Amerbach Cabinet
2. Medal by the monogrammist HB in the manner of an Egyptian tetradrachm of Alexander III the Great (336–232 BC) and its models, a Macedonian and an Egyptian tetradrachm of Alexander III and Ptolemy I († 282 BC), respectively, 16th c. and 330/300 BC
Silver cast, chased; silver, struck
Inv. 2009.180.1., 1908.923., 1935.217.
3. Fantasy denarius featuring P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus († 183 BC) and Roman denarius by mint master Cn. Cornelius Blasio with an image of Scipio Africanus as the god Mars, 16th c. and 112/111 BC
Silver cast and silver, struck
Inv. 1952.95. Amerbach Cabinet, 1905.6068.
Which Piece is Fake?
[left]
Genuine
Silver antoninianus of Emperor Probus (276–282) with correct legends
Inv. 1903.3997.
[right]
Fake
Copper cast antoninianus of Emperor Probus with blundered legends and too high a weight, 16th c.
Inv. 2010.369.