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 Replies: 9 / Views: 3,802 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
This week I received this Commodus PROVIDENTIAE AVG denarius with reverse of Commodus, as Hercules, shaking hands with Africa. I purchased it from a European ebay dealer. I do have a 14 day return on it. Before bidding I did a search of known fakes and didn't find a match, but when I received the coin the surfaces look "mushy" and there appears to be a casting seam on at least part of the edge. It weighs 3.74 grams, which is quite heavy for a late second century AD denarius. I think it's a fake, but thought I'd see what CCF members think before deciding to send it back. Thanks for your opinions.    Paul Bulgerin
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Moderator
 United States
34423 Posts |
I don't like the casting seam at all. That by itself would be enough for me to return it.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Paul, any chance its a fouree? Heavy for silver. Metal?
Edited by lrbguy
11/23/2016 4:54 pm
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
That casting seam kills it for me. It's a fake.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Molds have been recovered for some ancient fourees, which would have produced coins with casting seams like this. The fakers normally would have trimmed off the seam.
Not sure how to distinguish it from a modern cast fake.
Since the coin is heavy I suspect that the metal is not silver of the right fineness for Commodus.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
Thanks for the replies. I can't tell if it could possibly be a fouree, but with the mushy surfaces and seam on the edge I suspect it's a modern fake. This seller offers a lot of low-grade denarii, many of them looking softly-struck.
I didn't pay much for it, but I am going to return it.
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Given your concerns/doubts, good move returning it, Paul. Btw, do you know if this guy is on the fake sellers lists?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
No, I didn't know he was on the list. That's clinches it. I've already contacted ebay for a return. Thanks again for all the opinions. Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I never heard back from the seller and ebay just refunded my purchase price and shipping. I still have the coin. Paul Bulgerin
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Replies: 9 / Views: 3,802 |
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Posted 11/23/2016 3:57 pm
