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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,283 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
I was watching this group of four denarii on ebay UK that included an unattributed Clodius Albinus, but, in the end, decided not to bid on them. The coins look mushy and not right to me. Several of them have "potmarks" and rough surfaces. They could just be weather-worn old Roman silver, but I decided to pass on them. Was it a wise decision or not? Real or cast? What do people think? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stunning-LO...p=true&rt=ncPaul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
I think they probably are genuine coins but appears to have been cleaned with some hard acid (sulfuric or chlorhidric), or more probably with some hard base.
Bad purchase anyway
Edited by Athalbert
04/05/2015 6:52 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Maybe it's just the pictures but I don't like the way these coins look. The surfaces look flat and porous and there looks like casting bubbles there also. I would pass on these coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
I think they might all be casts - evidence of a casting seem on both the Albinus and the top left. Perhaps filed edges.
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
Echizento, I have seen a lot of ancient silver coins ruined by agresive agents, under the skin of good silver, the core usually shows signs of this porousity if you elimine that "skin" by acid corrosion you gets the porous and crystallized core.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
my opinion is that these were good coins and have been cleaned with a strong acid. I think that small file mark(?) might be an attempt scrap encrustation. Agreed bad purchase and bad photos.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I agree that harsh chemicals can leave the surface looking like these and also make them less desirable. With the exception of the Albinus these are all common coins and can be gotten in high grade for not a lot of money. If these are genuine, and have been harshly cleaned I would pass on them just for that.
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
Ben; Do You think that they must be cast fakes?
Well, I must say that I´m not really sure (nobody can say it only with an image), but I really think that Paul did the best: not to purchase a lot if he had reasonable suspicions.
I suppose that we all are agree at saying: Well done, Paul!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
Thanks for your opinions. The Albinus was tempting, but I'm glad I passed.
Paul Bulgerin
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I agree with all that Athalbert has said so far.
Normally, I would not want to bid on these coins, because of the 'mushiness' that is seen, but Athalbert has provided a plausible expanation as to why this is so.
GBP 48 Pounds was the final bid. If they are genuine, that price is OK at about about USD$18 per coin in the condition that we see, but no great bargain.
A reasonable small lot of denarii, for a dealer to flog off on the 'Bay.
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
I would say fake, a lot of his other coins for sale and those already sold were clearly fakes, so I don't see why these wouldn't be fake as well.
Edited by arnoldoe
04/05/2015 9:09 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4964 Posts |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,283 |
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Posted 04/05/2015 6:51 pm
