MAIASP is published by the Lomonosov Moscow State University (Moscow, Russia), Tyumen State University (Tyumen, Russia) and Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod (Nizhni Novgorod, Russia) since 2008. MAIASP № 11 , 2019
This paper focuses on coin hoard found in a ceramic vessel during rescue archeological excavation... more This paper focuses on coin hoard found in a ceramic vessel during rescue archeological excavations in Chukovezer village, Dragoman municipality, Sofia district. Coin hoard consists of 23 roman bronze coins-folles from the period of the Tetrarchy and Constantine the Great. The earliest coins (2 coins) belong to emperors Galerius Maximianus and Maximinus II Daia. The most numerous coins (13 coins) are those struck under Constantine the Great. The next small group of coins (8 folles) belong to emperor Licinius I. The event that provoked the concealment of the hoard was the First Civil War between Licinius I and Constantine I that began in 316, and the battle at Campus Mardiensis (Harmanli) in particular, taking place probably in the late 316 - early 317. The further issue discussed in the paper is comparative analysis with coin hoards found in the region of the Southwestern Bulgaria with roman coins of the same period.
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Books by Ilya Prokopov
Volume - 297 pages; coins included - 2394.
Stara Zagora’s region is of particular importance for the study of the coin circulation in Thrace in the 4th-1st century BC. There it’s been located a significant concentration of hemidrachms of Thracian Chersonese and Parion, as well as hoards of bronze coins of Philip II and Alexander III. The coins of Thracian Chersonese and Parion date back to 4th century BC. The coin hoards of Philip II and Alexander III date back within the period of the end of the 4th century BC till the first decades of the 3rd century BC – a very important period for the history of Thrace.
Another important focus is: 11 drachms imitations were found in Stara Zagora’s region, probabely coins of the Bastarnae (nos. 510-520). Of great importance is the fact that three of them were discovered during archaeological excavations in the area. This type of drachms dates back to the end of the 3rd until 2nd c. BC, and more specifically, around the time of the fall of Macedonia in 168 BC.
An especially important is the following problem: the researched area has the highest density of tetradrachms “rough” imitations with the name of the Thasians from the 1st century BC.
Stara Zagora’s region is the meeting point of East-Celtic imitations coming from the north and the imitations of tetradrachms under the type of Thasos.
“Sluntse Publishing”, Sofia 2017. Book, in Bulgarian, pp. 127, hard cover
A4, hard cover, 305 pp., color illustrations, in English.
LIPANOFF STUDIO: Catalog of all registered coin types.
By Ilya S. Prokopov
This book is about the work of one of the famous coin counterfeit studios in Bulgaria. The author has documented and presented in a catalogue format all forgeries he could gain access to. There are some new observations and variants of Lipanoff Studio coins.
The first publication about Lipanoff Studio was in 2004. The book was published in a small printed circulation and by now its availability is almost over.
In the period up until 2016 we have seen a process of multiplication of the Lipanoff products done mainly by casting. A large number of the forgeries were identified and published by the members of Forum Ancient Coins in the section “Dr. Ilya Prokopov's Fake Ancient Coin Reports”. This is how we came to the idea of a new book dedicated to the Lipanoff Studio products which would cover the prototypes from the first edition and then also the development of the process including the production of other forgers done by copying and casting. The catalogue allows to trace the effect of the altered coins - the ability to compare these 'new' altered coins with the prototypes facilitates the reader. The author has referenced to leading world catalogues to compare the coins with the authentic originals. For that purpose there is a bibliography and abbreviations attached.
It is well known that many of the Lipanoff Studio coins are very hard to recognize after being a subject of ageing and patination and therefore they easily end in collections and auctions. To avoid such cases it is necessary to pay attention and do a thorough comparison before making a deal. The book is published after the death of both Lipanoff masters and summarizes all registered coins. The future will show what the consequences of their work will be. A large portion of their coin dies are scattered around the world and their use for forgery production continues.
In its essence this publication is a result of the collective efforts of the author and the members of the Forum Ancient Coins. The author has published the names and nicknames of members who have posted identified Lipanoff Studio coins.
The book has a short introduction and a catalogue with numbers from 1 to 428. It has 211 pages of an A4 format with full colour photos. This edition is digital only (PDF format). Published by ProVias Ltd., Sofia, 2016.
MORE INFO AT
http://sp-p.net
“Forgeries of Ancient and Medieval Coins ‘manifactured’ in Bulgaria“ by Ilya S. Prokopov is addressed to unexperienced coin collectors and hobbyists. Its purpose is to create conditions for prevention of frauds with cultural heritage, i.e. Ancient coin flowing through Bulgarian domains.
This catalogue lists 144 forgeries of Ancient and Medieval coins, made in various Bulgarian ateliers: 27 preRoman, 112 Roman Imperators and Provincial, and 5 medieval coins. The images are in high definition and magnification is also used for enhanced observation.
As an introduction the author provides a brief but comprehensive scope of the modern history of forging coins in Europe since the Renaissance. Several forging “schools” in different countries are observed. Also bibliographic sources for infamous forgers are presented. The significant consequences of switching original with counterfeit coins and their cultural and historic effect are addressed. Nature and evolution invested in these original coins not only historical time but also a special information substance that has its own area of influence and radiation. Serious antagonisms between large communities and even conflicts may arise as a grave consequences of the infiltration of counterfeits in place of originals. Falsifying history overturns the future into an unpredictable minefield.
The forged coins presented in this catalogue are made through various methods: casting, pressing, hammering, bonding, and galvanoplasty. The author also has encountered and displayed samples with no signs of aging and added patina. They facilitate the examination of details and characteristics typical for counterfeit coins. Amongst the presented there are coins with differing quality. Some are easy to recognize, others can hamper even experienced specialists. The author also recommends resources that would help the reader gain material for comparison by knowing the originals of the represented counterfeits.
This is the 9th book on forging ancient coins and the first, published in Bulgarian, authored by prof. Ilya Prokopov. The process of preparing this material to be published encountered
great troubles ever since 1992. The main difficulty is to gain access to the counterfeit coins, so that they can be studied and documented, on one hand the counterfeiters and dealers are not inclined to cooperate, and on the other – a huge amount of the counterfeits produced in
Bulgaria are exported out of the country.
This book would also be useful to museum and departmental staff that encounters the defeat of counterfeit cultural values.
This is the first book in Bulgarian language by planned 4 volumes. It presents antique weapons from the period from 11th c. BC to 5th c. AD. Each volume is printed separately in Bulgarian and English.
The book is richly illustrated with color photos.
Publishing "TON", Sofia.
Volume: 360 pages, hardcover.
Author: Narcis Torbov
Editor: Ilya Prokopov
The authors prepared the second book in 1998 in the same format. It was not until 2003 that a publisher for this book was found. Prior to publication it was necessary to edit andreformat the manuscript - this publication is the result of that work and reflects information gathered up to the spring of 2003.
In this format (22.5x14.5 cm) catalogue is published a large group of modern forgeries of ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins coming from Bulgaria. 192 coins in gold, silver, copper, and bronze are catalogued and illustrated with nice black&white photos in chronological and geographic principle. From the total number, 112 specimens are Greek (2 in gold, the remainder in silver); 78 Roman
(Republican - 5 denarii and a gold coin of 60 asses; Imperial - 18 in gold, 34 in silver, 5 in bronze, including 5 interesting 4th c. AD' multipla/medallions in gold and silver), as well as 2 Byzantine pieces. A special section of the catalogue is devoted to a group of 77 modern fakes of Thasian type Celtic/Thracian imitation tetradrachms, all in silver. For the first time, 8 sets of new steel dies for striking of Roman Republican and Imperial coins are illustrated and commented.
A 5-pages introduction provides background information about the phenomenon of coin forgery production in Bulgaria. The patterns, technology and workshops known are discussed as well as some up-to-date references quoted.
Publication is devoted to serve to professional numismatists and amateur collectors and make familiar with the modern fake types of ancient coins.
From the total number of coins, 6 specimens are Greek and Macedonian (4 in silver, 2 in bronze); 83 Roman (Republican - 1 denarius; Imperial: - 82, (3 in gold, 80 in silver, 11 in bronze, 1 in lead). A special section of the catalogue is devoted to a modern rubber/plastic negative matrix for making imprints of cast models of Roman Imperial denarii. All are illustrated in detail and commented.
A comprehensive 7-pages introduction provides background information about the phenomenon of coin forgery production in modern Bulgaria. The pattern, technology of casting and methods of authentication are discussed as well as some up-to-date references are quoted."
Volume - 297 pages; coins included - 2394.
Stara Zagora’s region is of particular importance for the study of the coin circulation in Thrace in the 4th-1st century BC. There it’s been located a significant concentration of hemidrachms of Thracian Chersonese and Parion, as well as hoards of bronze coins of Philip II and Alexander III. The coins of Thracian Chersonese and Parion date back to 4th century BC. The coin hoards of Philip II and Alexander III date back within the period of the end of the 4th century BC till the first decades of the 3rd century BC – a very important period for the history of Thrace.
Another important focus is: 11 drachms imitations were found in Stara Zagora’s region, probabely coins of the Bastarnae (nos. 510-520). Of great importance is the fact that three of them were discovered during archaeological excavations in the area. This type of drachms dates back to the end of the 3rd until 2nd c. BC, and more specifically, around the time of the fall of Macedonia in 168 BC.
An especially important is the following problem: the researched area has the highest density of tetradrachms “rough” imitations with the name of the Thasians from the 1st century BC.
Stara Zagora’s region is the meeting point of East-Celtic imitations coming from the north and the imitations of tetradrachms under the type of Thasos.
“Sluntse Publishing”, Sofia 2017. Book, in Bulgarian, pp. 127, hard cover
A4, hard cover, 305 pp., color illustrations, in English.
LIPANOFF STUDIO: Catalog of all registered coin types.
By Ilya S. Prokopov
This book is about the work of one of the famous coin counterfeit studios in Bulgaria. The author has documented and presented in a catalogue format all forgeries he could gain access to. There are some new observations and variants of Lipanoff Studio coins.
The first publication about Lipanoff Studio was in 2004. The book was published in a small printed circulation and by now its availability is almost over.
In the period up until 2016 we have seen a process of multiplication of the Lipanoff products done mainly by casting. A large number of the forgeries were identified and published by the members of Forum Ancient Coins in the section “Dr. Ilya Prokopov's Fake Ancient Coin Reports”. This is how we came to the idea of a new book dedicated to the Lipanoff Studio products which would cover the prototypes from the first edition and then also the development of the process including the production of other forgers done by copying and casting. The catalogue allows to trace the effect of the altered coins - the ability to compare these 'new' altered coins with the prototypes facilitates the reader. The author has referenced to leading world catalogues to compare the coins with the authentic originals. For that purpose there is a bibliography and abbreviations attached.
It is well known that many of the Lipanoff Studio coins are very hard to recognize after being a subject of ageing and patination and therefore they easily end in collections and auctions. To avoid such cases it is necessary to pay attention and do a thorough comparison before making a deal. The book is published after the death of both Lipanoff masters and summarizes all registered coins. The future will show what the consequences of their work will be. A large portion of their coin dies are scattered around the world and their use for forgery production continues.
In its essence this publication is a result of the collective efforts of the author and the members of the Forum Ancient Coins. The author has published the names and nicknames of members who have posted identified Lipanoff Studio coins.
The book has a short introduction and a catalogue with numbers from 1 to 428. It has 211 pages of an A4 format with full colour photos. This edition is digital only (PDF format). Published by ProVias Ltd., Sofia, 2016.
MORE INFO AT
http://sp-p.net
“Forgeries of Ancient and Medieval Coins ‘manifactured’ in Bulgaria“ by Ilya S. Prokopov is addressed to unexperienced coin collectors and hobbyists. Its purpose is to create conditions for prevention of frauds with cultural heritage, i.e. Ancient coin flowing through Bulgarian domains.
This catalogue lists 144 forgeries of Ancient and Medieval coins, made in various Bulgarian ateliers: 27 preRoman, 112 Roman Imperators and Provincial, and 5 medieval coins. The images are in high definition and magnification is also used for enhanced observation.
As an introduction the author provides a brief but comprehensive scope of the modern history of forging coins in Europe since the Renaissance. Several forging “schools” in different countries are observed. Also bibliographic sources for infamous forgers are presented. The significant consequences of switching original with counterfeit coins and their cultural and historic effect are addressed. Nature and evolution invested in these original coins not only historical time but also a special information substance that has its own area of influence and radiation. Serious antagonisms between large communities and even conflicts may arise as a grave consequences of the infiltration of counterfeits in place of originals. Falsifying history overturns the future into an unpredictable minefield.
The forged coins presented in this catalogue are made through various methods: casting, pressing, hammering, bonding, and galvanoplasty. The author also has encountered and displayed samples with no signs of aging and added patina. They facilitate the examination of details and characteristics typical for counterfeit coins. Amongst the presented there are coins with differing quality. Some are easy to recognize, others can hamper even experienced specialists. The author also recommends resources that would help the reader gain material for comparison by knowing the originals of the represented counterfeits.
This is the 9th book on forging ancient coins and the first, published in Bulgarian, authored by prof. Ilya Prokopov. The process of preparing this material to be published encountered
great troubles ever since 1992. The main difficulty is to gain access to the counterfeit coins, so that they can be studied and documented, on one hand the counterfeiters and dealers are not inclined to cooperate, and on the other – a huge amount of the counterfeits produced in
Bulgaria are exported out of the country.
This book would also be useful to museum and departmental staff that encounters the defeat of counterfeit cultural values.
This is the first book in Bulgarian language by planned 4 volumes. It presents antique weapons from the period from 11th c. BC to 5th c. AD. Each volume is printed separately in Bulgarian and English.
The book is richly illustrated with color photos.
Publishing "TON", Sofia.
Volume: 360 pages, hardcover.
Author: Narcis Torbov
Editor: Ilya Prokopov
The authors prepared the second book in 1998 in the same format. It was not until 2003 that a publisher for this book was found. Prior to publication it was necessary to edit andreformat the manuscript - this publication is the result of that work and reflects information gathered up to the spring of 2003.
In this format (22.5x14.5 cm) catalogue is published a large group of modern forgeries of ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins coming from Bulgaria. 192 coins in gold, silver, copper, and bronze are catalogued and illustrated with nice black&white photos in chronological and geographic principle. From the total number, 112 specimens are Greek (2 in gold, the remainder in silver); 78 Roman
(Republican - 5 denarii and a gold coin of 60 asses; Imperial - 18 in gold, 34 in silver, 5 in bronze, including 5 interesting 4th c. AD' multipla/medallions in gold and silver), as well as 2 Byzantine pieces. A special section of the catalogue is devoted to a group of 77 modern fakes of Thasian type Celtic/Thracian imitation tetradrachms, all in silver. For the first time, 8 sets of new steel dies for striking of Roman Republican and Imperial coins are illustrated and commented.
A 5-pages introduction provides background information about the phenomenon of coin forgery production in Bulgaria. The patterns, technology and workshops known are discussed as well as some up-to-date references quoted.
Publication is devoted to serve to professional numismatists and amateur collectors and make familiar with the modern fake types of ancient coins.
From the total number of coins, 6 specimens are Greek and Macedonian (4 in silver, 2 in bronze); 83 Roman (Republican - 1 denarius; Imperial: - 82, (3 in gold, 80 in silver, 11 in bronze, 1 in lead). A special section of the catalogue is devoted to a modern rubber/plastic negative matrix for making imprints of cast models of Roman Imperial denarii. All are illustrated in detail and commented.
A comprehensive 7-pages introduction provides background information about the phenomenon of coin forgery production in modern Bulgaria. The pattern, technology of casting and methods of authentication are discussed as well as some up-to-date references are quoted."
The available coin finds in Bulgaria have been personally examined.
The following coin types have been differentiated: early imitations; rough imitations; “bad style” coins; coins worn out due to active circulation; coins minted with copied and cast dies. The main finds registered in the specialized literature are represented on the maps. The different coin types are illustrated. The following main observations have been reached in the course of my work: the existence of a serious hiatus between the Celtic coin imitations of the 3rd and 2nd century BC and the Thasos imitation tetradrachms of the type “Dionysos Soter”; differences in the minting technology between the Celtic coin imitations of the 3rd and 2nd century BC and the Thasos imitation tetradrachms; a discrepancy in the territories of distribution of the rough Thasos imitations from the second half of 1st century BC and the known Celtic imitations of the 3rd and 2nd century BC; a difference in the denominations of the Thasos tetradrachm imitations and the Celtic imitations.
This study has established that the Thasos imitation tetradrachms of the type “Dionysos Soter” display no common features with known issues of the Celtic communities located to the North and Northwest as far as Central Europe; the emitters of the Thasos imitation tetradrachms of the type “Dionysos Soter” were most probably the inhabitants of settlements with a mixed population of Celts and locals; a certain influence and participation of the bastarnае in the minting process cannot be excluded.
Obv. Stylized head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin.
Rev. Stylized Zeus seated left with eagle and sceptre, amphora in left field.
These are coins that are rarely found in Thrace. In the research literature these coins are called „Celtic“ and „Thracian-Getic“. The emergence of new data from the archaeological excavations leads to a new understanding about them. What has to be pointed out about those imitations is that their style is very specific. Thе „Thracian-Getic“ coins are quite different from all the others, which are known under the name of "East Celtic". But it’s not only the style that sets this type apart from all the rest. There are also technological differences between the those „Thracian-Getic“ coins and the so called "East Celtic" ones.
The author summarizes the most known coins of this type found in Bulgaria. Their total is 15 pieces. Nine more coins have been added to the already published 6 coins. The overall picture of the territorial distribution in Bulagria is as follows:
South-southeast region - one coin (from Yambol museum); north-east region - two coins (from Varna museum); north regiоn - one coin (from Pleven museum); west region - 11 coins (from the territory between the districts of Plovdiv and Stara Zagora).
Тwo particural coins are of significant importance. They’ve been discovered during archaeological excavations in the village of Bratya Daskalovi, region of Chirpan.
The analysis of the territorial distribution and the finds from Thrace allow the author to be more précised when determing the nature of this imitation coinage. Thus, on the basis of those analysis and the newly found facts, the author suggests their origin should be related to the Bastarnaes.
By Valentina Grigorova-Gencheva&Ilya Prokopov
Abstract In the years after 2000, a coin hoard consisting of silver staters from the Silenus and Nymph type was discovered near Tryavna in the district of Gabrovo. There is no information about the number of coins, neither of their type. We were presented only with quality photos and the metric data of 11 coins. Found in North Central Bulgaria, this hoard is the northernmost one known so far. We do not aim to discuss the question who is the emitent of this coin type. In our opinion, the coins belong to a vast community that shared solid and sustainable economic interests. The territory that this community controlled undoubtedly included the island of Thassos. The closest analogue of this coin hoard is the one from the village of Krastevich in the municipality of Hisarya. The North-South axes along which similar hoards have been found follow the roads to the precious ore mines located on the Southern slopes of the Stara Planina Mountain. The staters entered the region north of Stara Planina through the passes between the Zlatishki and the Trevnenski ones. The analysis of the numismatic material shows that the distribution area of the Silenus/ Nymph type staters is considerably greater than that of the small nominals attributed to Thassos. Our observation of the coin types that circulated in Thrace together with the Silenus/ Nymph type staters lead to two main conclusions: (a) the large nominals were few and (b) the small nominals of the drachm and hemidrachm types were numerous, mostly in 5th c. BC.
Alas, this coin hoard no longer exists. It was stolen from the museum in Vratsa in the period after 2003.
This publication is based only on documentary photographs taken in the 80’s of the 20th Century.
Miniature golden rings and tubes have played the role of the first money thousands of years ago.
The publication offers a complete illustration and detailed catalog of the treasure. The authors date the coin hoard from village Dolno Botevo, Haskovo region, in the period: after 50 and before 29 BC.
because of the rich mining zone within the southern Thracian lands. According to O. Picard, coins are
the biggest testament to the large volume and importance of economic activities associated with
mining operations. This slow and complex process is interconnected with coinage circulation that was
self-sustaining in the mining area. Even Athens did not have the manpower and materials necessary for
the establishment and development of a mine.17 Undoubtedly, Thracian rulers are those who provided
Thasos, and probably Athens and other large contractors, with all the important terms and resources
for a successful profitable activity in the mining area, namely political patronage, military protection,
experienced ancestral miners, metal workers and coin workers, a significant amount of slaves, timber,
charcoal and water. This cooperation led to the differentiation of the specific cultural and economic
zone, shown by coinage circulation and the object of our study. In brief, Thasos was the motor, but the
Thracian mainland was the origin and the reason for the existence of the rich small denomination silver
coinage in the region of our research in the 6th–5th century BC.
All facial dies in 17 usual coins are known and published. But on the revers dies has 5 new and unpublished.
The author determined the burial of this coin hoard between 125/120 BC until the end of the 2nd c. BC.
South-West University “St.”Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
Faculty of Law and History.
Department of History.
/the end of the 2th c. BC – the beginning of the 2th c. AD/
Polina Stoyanova, RIM-Sofia, [email protected]
Ilya Prokopov, Sofia, [email protected]
In 2015 in the center of Sofia a large-scale project is имплементед for exposure in situ of archaeological remains that were discovered beforehand on site “Largo” (Nazavisimost sq.) (Шалганов 2016), during which are studied some new remains of antiquity (Шалганов, Стоянова 2016). The “Largo” takes place in the HAR Serdica-Sredets, immediately to the southwest of the eastern gate of the ancient town (Fig. 2).
During the excavation was uncovered one part of late antiquity street with north-south direction (cardo) – the west limit on the first southwest district (insula) from the side of eastern gate (Fig. 3). Below the street level it was established a central exhaust duct. From this duct, another duct begins, entirely built of bricks dating from the middle of the 3rd to the first half – middle of the 4th c. Its displacement has eastern direction to the house in the district. The qualitative construction of the brick duct is probably evidence of the high social status of the owners.
In one of the interior premises of the house (marked "Л") with analysis of the cultural layers in a control borehole , was indicated that in the 2th c. the beginning of occupation in this area started (Fig. 6). In the next period from 2th to the beginning of 3rd c. one of the most interesting findings from Serdica – 15 Roman silver coins were discovered, which coins were being collected for an extended period of time – by the end of the 2th c. BC till the beginning of the 2th c. AD (Fig. 8). On the basis of the stratigraphy, it may be considered that this coin treasure has been hidden or lost in the second half of the 2th c.
The great amplitude between between the various specimens in the treasure makes a big impression. The earliest coin found was a Republic denarius from 112-111 BC (Cat. no.1). The latest one belonged to imp. Traian approximately from 100 AD (it was kept hidden soon after the coinage) (Cat. no.15). The nature of the treasure demonstrate that “pure” silver coins from the Roman Republic were considered highly valuable during the Roman Empire.
An Inventory of Coin Hoards from Bulgaria (ICHB) Vol. I. Sofia, 2017, 968 pp.
An Inventory of Coin Hoards from Bulgaria (ICHB) Vol. II. Sofia, 2017, 757 pp.
Annual Bulletin of Coin Hoards from Bulgaria 1986-2016. Sofia, 2017, 316 pp.
The work of N. Teodosiev is richly provided with maps and charts.
The volumes are provided with a detailed bibliography arranged first in the Cyrillic and then in the Latin alphabet.
For the sake of clarity, the author offers a Terminological analysis of the basic terms.
A special contribution of the study gives the analysis of the density of the coin hoards. The author offers the methodology and the formulas for density determination. The tables reflect the average density of each of the districts of Bulgaria.
The statistical analysis was completed by studying the chronological distribution of the coin hoards. Besides the abbreviations that concern the bibliography, the author applies: abbreviations used in the text and abbreviations of the district names.
The books are extremely useful and can be used by the specialists and all interested.