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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,376 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
What do you guys reckon of this coin of Vespasian? Real, fake? Worth more than the £8.50 asking price?   I like the look of it, and have always wanted a 12 Casesars coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
What is the weight and dimensions of that coin?
I can't pin it down, but I think the obverse portrait looks kind of strange.
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Seller didnt supply those details. I've sent him a message asking for them though.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
The details look soft and with the pitting evident on the surface it could well be a cast fake. I would wait for another day and not take the risk regardless of price.
Martin
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Thanks for the advice - if theres any evidence at all of fakery or insincerity from the seller, ill leave it be.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Whenever I have doubts, even if I ain't sure I leave it be and not purchase the coin. Of course, it's up to you on what you'd like to do.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Sometimes I will buy fakes, provided they are sold to me as fake, for my own education.
I agree with Gil-gilad, including questions on weight and dimensions.
The style of the coins of Vespasian can vary, but I am unfamiliar with the style variation shown here.
The delamination seen on the reverse in two places suggests that some sort of plating has flaked off.
Need some close up pictures of the edges.
The provenance needs to be established. Where did it come from?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Yes, the seller responded that he didnt know where it came from, and that he bought it at auction with some other coins.
Im not going to be buying this one then
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
If I have the slightest doubt that it's real I'll stay away from it. There are some indications that it could be fake, ie some pitting of the surface, what appears to be soft details of the reverse. This could also be signs of age and wear. I'm the first to admit I'm wrong more times than not, but IMO this coin is real and for the price I would go for it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
It just so happens I have a like coin of Vespasian. It is one I've had for many years. I have put the two coins side by side for everyone to make a comparison. I still believe the OP coin to be fake. My reasoning? The striking differences between the portraits,the surface bubbles on the OP coin (i.e., Vespasian's cheek/head), and the flaking of silver on the reverse. Like echizento, I too have been known to be wrong, but, "when there is doubt there is no doubt"   Edited by Bing
07/29/2012 3:05 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Although I am not entirely happy with it, I am not prepared to 'write it off'.
I like to see coins like this one, in hand before I would be prepared to make a decision on it. Would need to get it under a loupe. I have seen instances of delamination on denarii of Vespasian that were judged to be genuine.
The softness in the design may just be a function of wear.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,376 |
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Posted 07/29/2012 10:17 am
