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 Replies: 10 / Views: 3,100 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
869 Posts |
So, I decided to dip my toe in the ancient coin arena and on a lark bought this off of ebay. Listed as a 177-192AD Commodus silver denarius. It was relatively inexpensive, $22.24 with shipping included, so I took a shot. My concern is the weight, 2.47g. Does that fit the specs or too light? I've messaged the seller asking the same question but haven't received an answer as yet . .    |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
My gut says cast fake so that is what I am going with. Get a refund ASAP! Even if it's genuine, you can do much, much better for your money!
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
It looks genuine, but pretty beat up and harshly cleaned. The weight is really light which could mean it's a Limes denarius. Limes denari are those made on the fringe of the empire to pay the troops. They were light weight and contained only a fraction of silver.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
869 Posts |
Thank you gentleman, I've much to learn . .  |
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Moderator
United States
34428 Posts |
@flag4, looks like a split decision by our experts so far. The surface is quite porous (which is a bad thing because it likely means your piece was cast), but there appears to be a couple edge splits (which is a good thing because it might mean your piece was struck). If you have already received this coin, could you please post a pic of the edge? With regard to your future toe-dipping purchases, I'd recommend that you take a look at vcoins rather than ebay. The vetting process, while not perfect, seems to be better for these types of coins. "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
United States
949 Posts |
With all the respect in the world for Steve's experience with dinged up ancients, I don't think it's fake - it's just worn. Proper weight, good metal, badly dinged (test punches?), harshly cleaned and badly at that. The pitting looks like it was ground in, not bubbled (not round enough). Maybe a little pricey for what you are getting, but ancient. I do agree that you could do better, probably even for about the same money.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
869 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
869 Posts |
Thank you Irbguy, duly noted . .
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Valued Member
United States
234 Posts |
Not sure if it is a fake but I see a lot of sellers on ebay selling fake silver coins that are beat up and marked to make it look genuine. A lot of these sellers have almost perfect feedback so maybe a lot of buyers don't know the difference. Also the fakes are getting a lot better. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
616 Posts |
ebay has burned all of us. Here's mine, purchased after only 6 months in the hobby from a bricks & mortar coin dealer selling on ebay who had been in the business for decades BUT SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. He refunded my money no questions asked.  Counterfeits can kill the interest in the hobby faster than anything. That's why it's important for new collectors to start at Vcoins.com where coins are guaranteed authentic and the dealers have reputations in the biz.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
869 Posts |
Thanks to all for your advice . .  |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 3,100 |
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Posted 04/07/2017 10:46 pm
