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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,418 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
Here is another Gorgoneion from my Greek collection. A more archaic style than the Parion one. This is a coin type that I would recommend doing your research on and only buying from a trusted dealer. The fakes that entered the market with the "Black Sea Hoard"(s) really muddied the waters for this type. Silver drachm Obv:-- Facing Gorgoneion. Rev:-- Inverted anchor, crayfish left, A right Minted in Apollonia Pontika. 450 -- 400 B.C. Reference:-- SNG Cop 454  Regards, Martin |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Better not ask that lady her age! lol
I sometimes worry about getting fakes, so I stay away from high dollar coins. I've been reading a lot about the coins I have so far and I think I've done ok. I don't have a single Greek coin yet, but I will eventually purchase some.
That is a nice coin. What's the size and weight, I wonder?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1151 Posts |
Just have to say that I love your topic titles! I don't know much about ancients though  Edited by yankee1227
01/26/2012 06:36 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Here we have a good point. Certain types have been faked so often and so well that it is good to be wary of any such coins even when sold by an honest dealer unless you also believe that they are also well educated. I'm not comfortable with any of the Black Sea region minor silver coins. I have a few, including one certain fake, but will probably not buy more.
Don't think having information like weight will protect you from fakes. These are not tourist items but were made by people who knew enough to avoid the obvious errors.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
I have one of these in my collection. I bought just before I learned about Black Sea Hoard. Although I bought it from a reputable dealer have never known if it is authentic or not. As I recall it was not all that expensive. It is more worn than marividvm's example. Maybe the experts here can help determine if it is real or not and why. Thanks.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
Your coin would seem to match a die pair from the New York Hoard of fakes which are catalogued online by Reid Goldsborough. http://rg.ancients.info/bulgarian_school/Apollonia Pontika light drachm (Type 13), c. 400-350 BC, 2.8 grams. Like the previous version, Medusa, on obverse (convex side), has snaky ringlets that circle the face, though her face is slimmer. SNG BM Black Sea 161.  Martin |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
This is probably the most snarly Gorgoneion I've seen.  No praise for beauty, but for the die maker who brought this Gorgon to life. |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Regarding the Bulgarian School link, it appears that type 13 is one of 16 authentic types, and the link at the bottom of that page leads to 48 specimens of forgeries.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I'll make a mental note not to purchase any of these coins since apparently, the type is plagued by fakes.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Yeah...I find the page linked above a little confusing for statements like this: Quote:
A number of varieties have appeared on the market that look authentic but don't appear to be catalogued anywhere else except here. The possibility exists that not all of these varieties are ancient, but the startling diversity of varieties of these coins has been evident in the literature for at least the past century. So...are the coins on that page all fake, or is it debatable?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
That first page has the authentic coins according to that article. At the bottom of the page is a link to the fakes.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
The following are representative specimens of these 16 authentic types. Ah--somewhere I missed reading that.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Looks as if she ate something really hot and spicy  |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,418 |
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Posted 01/26/2012 06:36 am
