Late Roman Bronze Coins
General discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Roety on November 14, 2018, 12:24:25 AM
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I have been a coin collector since I was a kid, but never collected ancient coins. November 4th I purchased three coins see photos.
They are still enroute to me, since then have bought a few low quality ones and been reading on this forum and others about all the Fakes being sold.
So I'm thinking they are probably Fakes, but from the photos I can't tell
Victor linked the fake seller list for me (this seller only sold these coins and is not on any list) .
Please tell me if you can tell from the photos and ebay link what you think?
and how can I test them to see if they are silver or Tin without damaging them.
The seller said "guaranteed authentic" . In the last ten days I have seen how many nice looking Fakes are being sold and figured I better ask some experts.
I can return them if they are Fake, but I want to make sure.
any help appreciated
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GETA-211AD-EF-Denarius-AVG-Guaranteed-Authentic-Ancient-Silver-Coin/123456394639?hash=item1cbe93158f:g:9jQAAOSwKQFb1hF-
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It can be very difficult, even impossible, to authenticate ancient coins from a picture, but I see no reason to believe that these coins are not authentic. Most ancients that are sold are authentic, thankfully the people that sell fakes only account for a small percentage on eBay.
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Tracking # seems stuck somewhere out west. The fact that the seller had four coins all in nice condition with the same finish seems to be a bad clue.
But am gonna deal with it if and when they get here.
If they are Tourist copies I just want to pay what they are really worth.
Recently I was looking at Drachmas with the owl on the reverse and saw on Etsy someone is selling them as copies in Tin for $9.98 each plus shipping or in silver for $59 each. these fine looking pieces are at least Being sold as Copies. Probably Casts . Since I can't afford a real one in nice shape a $15 shipped copy in Tin is appealing. Real silver even better (for my Black collection)
I'll post side photos of these ebay coins if they ever get here
Thanks
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Based on the photos, I also think they look authentic. The Caracalla in particular is a nice looking coin.
There are a lot of fake ancients, but most of them aren't very convincing if you can just get a little experience. Its fair to say most very deceptive fakes are restricted to more expensive coins. eBay can be a bit of a minefield for new collectors; not just for fakes but also for price. Spend some time just browsing Vcoins, CNG coins etc and you'll soon get a feel for what real ancients look like. You'll then see most of these fake/reproductions are laughably obvious.
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I received them and they are silver (test a rubbed edge on stone and acid), they look struck not cast. the front of two looks uncirculated to me. that's why I was suspicious , but I will keep them. I just bought a bunch of Romas ($70 each) , a few Gold ($300 and $135)and a 100 bronze ones ($2 each)
Question on a different note:
I saw a reputable auction house selling coins and some said "eastern European imitations " (are they fakes?) I researched and see many listed like that.
here is one that says "imitation" and sold for $670. https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/c_j_martin_coins/97/product/imitation_of_alexander_the_great_ar_tetradrachm_eastern_europe/917986/Default.aspx (https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/c_j_martin_coins/97/product/imitation_of_alexander_the_great_ar_tetradrachm_eastern_europe/917986/Default.aspx)
I am assuming they are not fakes but the eastern Europe imitated the roman coins.
I can not find a clarification of this topic using google.
any insight appreciated
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The term imitation just means that a coin is not an official product, but it is contemporary, so not a fake. Unofficial coinage is actually fairly common.
I have a page about this, but it mainly concerns the 4th century.
http://www.constantinethegreatcoins.com/barb2/