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 Replies: 27 / Views: 21,703 |
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
My recent purchase of a Roman Silver Elephant Denarius Coin of Julius Caesar arrived today, (Hooray), but, what I thought was bad lighting on the seller's part turns out to be a coating on the coin of a brown/tan color (paint)? On the 'high' spots where this has worn off, the silver is showing through. The coin is 17 mm and 3.2 gm, so it is within tolerances for this type of coin. Has anyone ever come across this before, or know about this and could I seek some advice as to how to proceed from here? I have it 'soaking' in De-mineralized water, at present, but that does not appear to be doing anything positive (or negative). Here are some photos . . . . .  
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Way back when some collectors would lacquer their coins to preserve them over time the lacquer would age and turn brown. If this is the case on your coin it's going to be difficult to remove. Soaking it in acetone may work and shouldn't damage the coin. Their is something at the 11 o'clock position on the reverse that looks odd. Hopefully the coating wasn't put on the coin to trick and what is under it is a genuine coin.
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
I wouldnt have taken the risk with this coin, I hope it will turn out well for you. This coin has been faked too much.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
That looks fake as you like to me. Mushy, casting pearls. Id seek a refund.
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Pillar of the Community
 1121 Posts |
Acetone? O.K. What about DMSO?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
TC, if the consensus is that it is fake, I wouldn't try to remove any of the surface substance as the seller should receive it back in the same condition as it was sold.
Reverse 11 o'clock, is not WRL is it?
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Hi P.P. - No, not WRL.
I was guessing that the 'bad' photos would have put a lot of bidders off, so I only paid US$104.50 for the coin. If it is a genuine coin collected a long time ago and 'varnished' (as collectors did) then if I can clean it I might have a bargain.
The seller didn't have any other coins for sale (from memory), only Pokemon cards.
Seller has 33 feedback, all positive, but has sold three other examples of this coin (and no other coins).
What do you think?
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Seller has no more for sale (at this time) but has positive feedback for the ones sold (except mine - at this time).
All of the other sales are for Pokemon (cards?)
Edited by Topcat7
09/24/2014 06:18 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Can you put a link up to his listings?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I am pretty sure it is a cast fake.
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
If I am allowed to, here is the link to the item I bought. You can click on Seller's Other Items, I believe. http://www.ebay.com/itm/251638034003?ru=http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html%3F_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=251638034003&_rdc=1 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Let me rephrase my earlier response, I am pretty sure all the JC sold are fake and nearly identical and off center in the fashion. If a JC is what you want buy it from a reputable dealer or collector and do this at least for a few years until you get the grasp of ancient currency.
To buy identical JC denarii from a kid selling on screen Pokemon is simply foolish in my mind. Certainly no disrespect.
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
Like I already told you before: DONT buy coins with limited knowledge and experience before asking people here about their opinion.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I was afraid of that, the marks at the 11 0'clock position really concerned me. Because of the varnish I couldn't be sure it was an original coin or not. The others have confirmed my suspicions though. Return the coin and don't do anything to it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
It also seems pretty unlikely to me that someone who didn't sell coins would come across 3 Caesars all at once and sell them. They probably don't have the expertise to know if what they are selling is real, so I would seriously recommend not buying from them.
Unless you're looking for Pokemon cards.
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Replies: 27 / Views: 21,703 |
Posted 09/24/2014 02:39 am
