20 Decimae Countermark

Beschrijving voorzijde	Facing Gorgoneion (Gorgo head) depicted en face at center, rendered in archaic style characteristic of Populonian bronze coinage; the visage displays prominent eyes, a broad nose, and an open mouth with protruding tongue. Two large, incuse wheels with spoked rims are positioned flanking the central device, one to the left and one to the right, serving as the principal value marks denoting the denomination of 20 decimae. The overall composition is typical of the late Populonian uncial series, struck on a broad, irregular flan with characteristic flat relief.
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Oplage	ND (201 BC - 101 BC)
Aanvullende informatie	Populonia's bronze coinage is unusual among Etruscan issues in carrying countermarks applied well after original minting — the "XX" punch indicating a revaluation or reauthorization for continued circulation rather than a fresh strike. The city's monetary output had largely ceased by the late third century BC, meaning these marked pieces were doing work in a system that had already absorbed Populonia politically into the Roman sphere. The Vecchi-IV classification places this among a small, well-documented group, but findspot evidence remains thin.