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 Replies: 10 / Views: 4,189 |
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New Member
United States
30 Posts |
I just bought my second and third ancient coins, I'll post them as soon as they come. But I was also wanting to get a denarius from the republic and found this one. However, the flan crack makes me think that it might be fake. Any opinions would be much appreciated!  ROMAN REPUBLIC, Q THERMUS M F 103 BC, DENARIUS 3.78g Minucia 19 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I can't say that I am familiar with the particular coin but the weight is spot on for a denarius of the period. The crack looks fine to me. Its clear though the coin and not only on one side, so I am inclined to think the coin is real. The style looks good to me too so again I think its real for those reasons.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
You are wise to be cautious. The modern forgeries tend to these types of coins especially silver denarii. As the market for Republican silver is (I am told) 'hot' there will be fakes . And some of them very good ones too ! I try to stick to my bronze because it is so much easier for me to judge. This looks good to me. But I don't even trust myself regarding this type !
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New Member
 United States
30 Posts |
Helpful as always, thank you FVRIVS RVFVS and Ancientnoob! However, being of higher purity silver, in your opinions, how much more likely is it prone to something like additional breakage?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
Republican coins almost never have flan cracks. The extra metal around the reverse shields is disturbing. That, too, is virtually never seen on Republican coins. There are many outstanding fakes of Roman Republican coins that are very hard to distinguish from a photo alone, and I do not say I am sure this one is fake, but it has these two highly unusual negative features, so I recommend you not buy it.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
 , the lumps on the reverse field make me feel uneasy. From the picture the obverse looks OK. This brings me to a question for myself: If BOTH sides look OK, I would feel a little uneasy about myself to pick a good quality fake from pictures only. For this reason, I really like so see ANY pricey coin 'in hand', before making a decision to buy, unless the seller's reputation is beyond doubt. As is usual for ME, I would like to know who the seller is. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
It is possible the 'fracture' is something which happened later. Silver does crystallize over the long haul. My brother once had a Rep. denarius which to his horror cracked in half when he hurriedly pushed it into a tight plastic flip. This was long ago (I was a teenager) and I was rather thrilled when in his disgust he gave it to me so he could try and forget ! I super glued it !
But I did learn a valuable lesson too. In fact in the 1980's there was also a bit of a scandal involving the plastic used to protect everything from coins to baseball cards. The plastics used back then were breaking down and ruining the very things they were sold to protect !I use paper flips exclusively.
Once again ..... I digress
The more I look at it the less confidant I feel about it. As has already been stated unless it comes from a VERY reliable source ....... Pass. There are only a few million other legit denarii for you to choose from.
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New Member
United States
30 Posts |
Again, thanks for you advice everyone. The seller is Aegean Numismatics and I found the coin on vcoins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
Then I would say 99% plus probability that it is good. Just remember that life is relatively long and there will be thousands and thousands more for you to 'oogle'
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I have a 'black' collection of about 100 fake ancient coins.
To make my judgment about the denarius pictured, I compared some of the field characteristics of this denarius against some of the 'black' coins I have, and have hence offered my guarded opinion.
My attitude is that in having a 'black' reference collection, I can make a more informed opinion about another piece that may be in question.
It is OK to have a 'black' collection, PROVIDED THAT the 'black' coins that you do have, were acquired or sold to you as fakes.
Most of the 'black' coins that I have, were described as fakes, from a leading public auction in Australia. I was fortunate enough to inspect each lot of fake coins 'in hand', before making a decision to place a bid.
Use the fakers' products against them.
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Valued Member
United Arab Emirates
283 Posts |
Looks real to me. Not a problem with it.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 4,189 |
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Posted 07/18/2013 10:19 pm
