Lets be honest - during the middle ages, most Roman coins were re-minted. That is melted, combined with base metals and re-struck often with curiously confused

Lets be honest - during the middle ages, most Roman coins were re-minted. That is melted, combined with base metals and re-struck often with curiously confused images. If the smith hadn't seen a good image but just the worn coins in circulation for centuries, they could have amusing interpretations of what the coin 'should' have on it. Yes this was all counterfeiting and was largely illegal. A frequently found tool in middle ages dwellings was counterfeiting dies left behind because they were either hidden and forgotten, or not safe to travel with and get arrested.