Sardeis (AD 23-26) AE 27 - Germanicus and Drusus

Germanicus and Drusus, Caesars, ca 23-26 AD. AE27 (12.14g), restruck ca 28-29 AD by Asinius Pollio, Proconsul. Drusus and Germanicus seated left in curule chairs / Legend in wreath; ΓΑΙΩ ΑΣΙΝΝΙΩ ΠΟΛΛΙΩΝΙ ΑΝΘΥΠΑΤΩ around (overstruck on original legend). VF, green patina, slightly rough surfaces.

This interesting coin appears to be an original issue, but in actuality, it is an earlier issue that is restruck with two intricate 'countermarks.' These 'countermarks' were ring-shaped punch restrikings of the legends that surround the obverse and reverse designs. While the obverse 'countermark-legend' is the same as that which appeared on the original striking, the reverse legend, originally ΕΠΙ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ ΚΛΕΩΝΟΣ ΣΑΡΔΙΑΝΟΥ, has been totally replaced by a new 'countermark-legend.'