Nero As Authentication - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,729
NorthSideTy Valued Member Canada 204 Posts	Posted 06/14/2016 9:17 pm Experts please help :) does this coin look authentic? I was thinking of making my first Roman bronze purchase. 27mm, 10.90g Edited by NorthSideTy 06/14/2016 9:18 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Finn235 Pillar of the Community United States 6130 Posts	Posted 06/14/2016 9:35 pm Doesn't sit right with me. Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 06/14/2016 10:17 pm I agree, especially hoe rough the surface on the reverse is compared to the image detail. Just doesn't look right IMO. Report this Post to the Staff
FVRIVS RVFVS Pillar of the Community United States 3444 Posts	Posted 06/15/2016 08:24 am Well the diameter and weight are spot on ! The portrait is terrific too. I do see some things about the lettering which give me reason to wonder though. This type is by far and away the most common bronze issue of Nero. It is also one of the most commonly faked coins of Nero ! Without a firsthand examination I would withhold any judgement. Despite the protests of some who question my fears I am increasingly worried about the high quality of fakes appearing on the market. For those with some memory I purchased a Nero (same type) from a 'reputable' German seller last year. It was a fake ! The ultimate irony is that CNG had auctioned a 'match' to the coin a year earlier. My advice is proceed with caution. Even a decent fake has some small value as a replica. Common type commonly found on ebay selling for around $30 Report this Post to the Staff
Finn235 Pillar of the Community United States 6130 Posts	Posted 06/15/2016 11:06 am Looking more closely, I am inclined to say it is probably authentic, but I still have some hesitations. The very rough reverse looks like some aggressively treated bronze disease. My gut days that the treatment stripped off the patina, and the coin was re-patinated to cover this up--notice how "bronze" the high points are. I also have my suspicions that the coin may have been tooled in spots. I would hold off for a nicer example without environmental damage, unless this coin is an absolute steal. Report this Post to the Staff
FVRIVS RVFVS Pillar of the Community United States 3444 Posts	Posted 06/15/2016 1:37 pm Just for 'giggles' I googled "fake Nero As" and came up with this Another 'bearded' Nero which went unsold recently at auction. If not for the hirsute portrait it could easily pass as it has a very convincing looking patina. The wise guy who made this one has no doubt made others and can only be getting better as time passes. The subject is very troubling to me (Less so to some others !) It is the lettering (forked base) which I noted on yours Not definitive ........ but it does give reason to think twice ! Report this Post to the Staff
FVRIVS RVFVS Pillar of the Community United States 3444 Posts	Posted 06/15/2016 2:20 pm In reviewing pics of my first century bronzes (mostly As & Dupondius) I notice one other 'minor' detail. The flan crack ! Flan cracks become common in the later 2nd century and practically the norm by the 3rd century. This was caused by the recycling of older coins (erasing the past) and the inadequate addition of 'fresh' copper. Copper like silver is very malleable. Flan cracks are also often cited as evidence of authenticity. In reviewing my collection I find only one first century bronze with a small die crack. It is a provincial Vitellius that was no doubt made from recycled coins (probably of Nero !) Of the official coinage zero flan cracks. I cannot help note your picture shows a crack. Again not definitive ........ but reason to wonder Report this Post to the Staff
Gallienus Valued Member United States 167 Posts	Posted 07/01/2016 12:22 pm Looks strange that the SPQR on the reverse globe is so nice & readable when the rest of the reverse is so pitted. Bought one of these from a reputable dealer as one of my 1st Roman coins many years ago & then returned it. Don't recall the relief being quite as high as your piece. If an on-line purchase I'd be very hesitant to purchase this one. Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 07/06/2016 01:51 am One thought of mine is that the Nero bronze of the OP may have in river mud for many centuries. Sometimes, even timber, given the right circumstances, can survive in this sort of environment. From the pictures, the flan splits look authentic. If genuine, the coin has obviously been cleaned after recovery. Probably unidentifiable otherwise. Report this Post to the Staff
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