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 Replies: 11 / Views: 3,933 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
This coin is up for sale by a reputable dealer and it's out of my league at the moment. My question is it's authenticity. The "R" is being called a countermark by the seller, but I would be very hesitant because of it.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
If real, I'd say that 20th C "countermark" is good for a nice discount.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
I know nothing about any gold coins, I have never collected gold and only owned a few mostly modern gold coins. So wih that said all I can say is it has a decent portrait and a nice reverse with a full legend. DId you compare it to another example of a genuine coin?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I don't like that countermark at all. Since I personally have doubts about the coin, I wouldn't purchase it, even if I had the money for it.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
DId you compare it to another example of a genuine coin? No, I'm really not in the market for this coin and it is going for $2k at the moment. My problem is the "R" which, like DVC indicated looks very much like a 20th Century letter rather than an ancient countermark. I'm just curious what others might think about this "R". Could it stand for "Replica"? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Do you think it's RIC 52? I find these modern marks a little unsettling too--why would it be done? Searching Vcoins, I found another being sold with a modern "A" on the reverse (below). Ric52  Another "countermarked" aureus:  Edited by DVCollector
01/24/2012 12:37 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
The coin looks legit, but with a coin of this value the forgers would go the extra mile to make sure it looks perfect. The "R" concerns me, it could mean Replica.
Edited by echizento
01/24/2012 1:16 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
Do you think it's RIC 52? Looks like it to me. I looked at all of the examples and none had a countermark to compare to. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
I found another being sold with a modern "A" on the reverse The "A" looks more legit than the "R"; however, it is also curious that both "countermarks" are in relatively the same place on each coin. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
The more I look at these--the more they creep me out.
Was the "A" actually stamped? If it was, the metal almost looks pushed around/flattened afterwards.
Not something I'd ever risk for $2750.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Also keep in mind that the "R" could stand for words in other languages that would indicate a copy or counterfeit. After all, if it is fake, then there is a good possibility that it was not made in a country where English is the most commonly spoken language.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
When I think of countermarks, I think of the rectangular marks with indicators of who made the mark. Not letters. But I could be very wrong. I have a Marcus Antonius with a "H", but it looks hand done unlike these that look like they were punched or stamped as you said DVC.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 3,933 |
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Posted 01/24/2012 12:14 pm
