Nero After The Big "Lolapalooza" At The Colosseum

So, do you know what they did to it to change it from the sellers pic to the way that you received it?

Do you mind if I use your images to create a fake report on this coin?

Such a shame, I thought you had picked up a beauty FR - You are right though that it has made for a far more interesting than usual thread.

Barry Murphy has confirmed that the CNG coin is fake. "....looks decent in the photo, the color is pretty believable, but the style of the lettering is wrong. Glad I didn't catalog that one." He has informed CNG.

So what happens now? Assume that CNG have done their own investigation and come to the same conclusion, Is the buyer informed and given a refund. What of the seller? Would the coin be passed back to the seller, or can it be destroyed? I would love to know.

Sometimes it can be more fun solving a mystery !

To be completely honest my first impression to the listing was one of doubt. The beard was a red flag !
Checking the sellers other coins everything seemed 'kosher' and I did ask for an opinion (mon frere) who thought the 'thang' looked odd but genuine.
Given that the technique is so skillful why add a beard ?
The author of this artifact seems to have a sense of humor !
Why make the coin light weight ? Obviously the maker would be knowledgeable enough to know it should be slightly heavier.
The process used to antique the coin is quite good. It appears to be impervious to acetone although as we can see with a small application of coin preservative the patina changes to an unusual degree ! Then back again when cleaned !

I will wait a few days to decide but I am inclined to see if further analysis yields some answers.
I may be over estimating the abilities and or the inclinations of any Polytech students to study the 'beastie' but would like to try.

I must admit to being somewhat conflicted !

In my initial enthusiasm I left the seller a glowing feedback. As previously mentioned I am not out big bucks by any stretch ($76) but I want to hang onto it for further examination by my panel of experts (DVBIVS RVFVS, ERRONIVS RVFVS & ODIVS GASSIVS) as well as the local Polytehnic ! The seller seems legit and I am fairly confident of a refund but that would probably require a 'return' of the item leaving me with nothing but photos for the 'experts'.

I say the seller seems legit although the name on the packet (Dr Stoev from Ludwigsfelde Germany) fails to turn up anything when 'googled'. Rather odd no ? Could 'Herr' Doktor be an alias ?

As I say I am inclined to want to pursue this further ......
Perhaps I should try and get a partial refund ? After all if returned the 'thang' will no doubt be passed off on someone else.

Opinions ?

BTW I saw the new listing of the CNG coin on the fake listing. Rather diplomatically the seller is identified only as "respected". Begs the question though. If a 'chump' like me had sold it I would probably get 'fingered'. When a highly respected outfit like CNG gets double what I might get should they not face the same ? They do get the big bucks because they have the experts on the payroll.
I realize this is a delicate question ....... but.
Reputations are important. So is honesty ...... no ?

Agreed