A Counterfeit/Fake Macellum Magnum Dupondius - And A Genuine One

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 2,747
GERMANICVS Pillar of the Community Germany 1852 Posts	Posted 07/19/2015 2:07 pm This is another of the 'mistakes' that I made when I first started collecting roman coin some 20 years ago: I was so eager to add a Macellum Magnum to my collection, that this example seemed just right. I got lucky - again - I contacted the seller and after much hassle (and time) was able to recoup my investment. It seemed real enough to me back then; nowadays It would not fool me (I would like to think so anyway). It seems to be a cast, but interestingly shows no seam long the edge. Maybe it was filed down, but the edge is fairly smooth (another tell-tale sign that I failed to recognize!). On my second attempt to add a Macellum to my collection, I was more successful. I think a decent example for the type. Report this Post to the Staff

imperator Valued Member 335 Posts	Posted 07/19/2015 2:19 pm Congratulations super coin Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 07/19/2015 3:01 pm I would have guessed some serious tooling and smoothing of a well-worn coin - as opposed to casting. But, either way, glad you got your refund. The replacement coin is excellent! Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 07/19/2015 4:42 pm I could see where this could fool someone just starting out. Report this Post to the Staff
chrsmat71 Pillar of the Community United States 4971 Posts	Posted 07/19/2015 8:36 pm BL thoughts were mine also, I thought it had been tooled, but wouldn't have guessed it was cast. the second coin is very nice! Report this Post to the Staff
FVRIVS RVFVS Pillar of the Community United States 3443 Posts	Posted 07/19/2015 11:43 pm A coin very near and dear to my heart ! Twenty five years ago I also became entranced by a beautiful example. But being a cheapskate by nature never would have forked out the necessary treasure to obtain one like it. My old friend 'Lou' (formerly associated with Munzen und Medaillen GmbH) dangled the prize before me and made the proverbial offer I could not refuse ..... "Take it home ..... If you like it send me $100 a month If not Bring it back 6 months from now" I was trapped ! He played me like a cat plays with a mouse ! But I never regretted it either. Something interesting is going on in this depiction. Exactly what I never figured out ! The building is long gone and is only known from this depiction on the coin. But the Romans had experimented with different methods of showing perspective. The coins always show one wing (right side) lower than the left. I also notice that what at first seemed like a double strike on the dome appears on most if not all the coins I see. Two domes perhaps ? The market is said to have been a place to buy meat and fish. I would imagine a large amount of water would have been needed for sanitary reasons and ...... who knows perhaps live fish ? The live fish idea has always appealed to me as having once been in Rome in July the heat was incredible and downright oppresive. The thought of "fresh fish" laying about the market place seemed improbable if not downright revolting. Report this Post to the Staff
Dutchgulden Pillar of the Community Netherlands 1204 Posts	Posted 07/20/2015 01:43 am what an excellent scarce coin, of you as well jeremy! The first example doesn't look ok indeed, a bit like the fake bactria coins you can find on the bay Report this Post to the Staff
FVRIVS RVFVS Pillar of the Community United States 3443 Posts	Posted 07/20/2015 09:07 am I believe a key question might be answered by the Macellum of Pozzuoli "boreholes left by marine mollusks showed that the height of the buildings had varied in relation to sea level" As the Macellum Magnum of Nero was built on the Caelian Hill I believe what is being depicted is a building complex which rises up from the viewer. But is the right 'wing' set back or is it forward ? The Roman grasp of perspective was imperfect. What is the overall shape of this complex ? Are there two domes (or cupola's) and what is the 'stuff' that seems to emanate from the top ? Notice too that there is an archway on the left side. So what exactly did this building look like ? Report this Post to the Staff
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A Fake Macellum Magnum Dupondius - And A Genuine One