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 Replies: 27 / Views: 2,407 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I was offered this coin today, but of course I am no anywhere near a expert on ancient coins I would like to know if it is real .. and if possible what they buy and sell for. I am not looking to flip this coin .. I think if it is real it would look good in my collection. Any information about this coin is welcome There is a small dark spot on the rim,on the obverse picture you can see it around the 11 o'clock position. I did weigh it this morning .. if I remember right it was a little over 11 grams The paper with the coin reads Alexander III, the Great 336 - 328 BC Tetra Head of Herakles r. wears lion skin Zeus Std left holding eagle    Edited by GR58
07/22/2013 6:24 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I'm no expert either, but it looks fine to me.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Well, I see porousity, odd polishing and what seems to be a chunky seam along the edge. Id steer clear -even if its real, id wait out for an unpolished example.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Looks fine to me, I think the seam you see is from the squishing of the flan in striking, I think you could find a better example. Still a nice coin IMO.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
Looks probably good but definitely polished. Without seeing it up close it is difficult to gage.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Well... if it is really 11gm then it's way too light for a tetradrachm. Those weight ~16-17g.
And it's a bit small. Looks like ~23mm.
Light, small... starting to sound like it was cast. If made from a mold and wax, the cast coin will be a bit smaller.
Edited by ThisIsFun
07/22/2013 4:57 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
11951 Posts |
I tried to get a picture of the edge  I now can see about the coin being polished. If this is real .. is there a price where this coin would still be worth buying? Of course .... if it is real |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
11 gms would be wrong. It is trying to be a silver tetradrachm of Alexander the Great. It should be somewhere around 26-28 mm in diameter and weigh around 17 gms.
Martin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I am so sorry .. I should have known better then to trust my memory. I had weighed this at the coin shop ... and I was wrong. Here is the coin on my scale at home.  Again .. sorry to have posted the wrong information .. it is 17.1 grams. I was getting ready to thank the CCF members on pointing out the weight being wrong ... when I put it on my home scale ... Does this change any opinions? Edited by GR58
07/22/2013 8:14 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
The weight looks good. I think it genuine and see nothing to the contrary.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36878 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I always see more when I look at a coin a second and third time.
I feel this coin was in a bezel at some time in it's life.
- I am seeing a color difference, on obverse picture at the left side.
- Also the small black spot on the rim, may be a spot of solder that jewelers use to hold a coin in place, when putting in a bezel.
- The CCF members seeing this coin being polished .. fits into it being a jewelry piece
Knowing this I am sure the price comes down .. and I am sure some would not want this coin at all ..
But again .. there must be a price where even this coin is a good buy.
For some reason I have always wanted a Alexander the Great coin ... but if the price was/is to much .. I would pass on this one
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
Quote:
For some reason I have always wanted a Alexander the Great coin Who wouldn't ! Well I suppose he still has his detractors in some places. In point of fact his memory lives on in parts of Afghanistan for being quite the ruthless conqueror. Alexander was responsible for a very bloody counter insurgency campaign which tied him up for several years and gained him little. Most of the rest of us heard all about the 'Great' stuff and thus he gets legendary status. The first coin I 'owned' was a slightly damaged Alexander drachm given to me by my brother in the summer of 1977. I was as pleased as punch with the gift ! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
It's a nice enough looking coin, albeit polished. If the price is good, go for it! You could put it back in a bezel and wear it without feeling too guilty.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Has anyone pointed out that his coin has a straight legged Zeus? Maybe a life time, early posthumous issue. WOW it might be worth a little more than you thought.
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Replies: 27 / Views: 2,407 |
Posted 07/22/2013 4:13 pm
