Plated Himyarite Coin? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 2,300
Spence Moderator United States 34426 Posts	Posted 05/06/2017 10:13 pm Hi. I purchased this coin recently from a reputable dealer on vcoins. It is supposedly from the Himyarite Kingdom and is 13.7 mm in diameter and weighs 1.0 g (attributed as Sear GIC 5717, Munro-Hay 3.2ai, BMC Arabia #4). It is slightly cupped, but perhaps not as scyphate as others from the Himyarites. It does not attract a magnet nor is there any evidence of a parting line on the edge. However, I am most concerned about what looks like flaked plating exposing an inner core on both the obv (to the right of the portrait) and rev (to the left of the portrait) on this coin. What do you think--am I right to be concerned or just being paranoid? For those who are interested in the Himyarites, here are a couple other threads that may be of interest: http://goccf.com/t/181734 http://goccf.com/t/274917 "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 Edited by Spence 05/06/2017 10:14 pm Report this Post to the Staff

echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 05/06/2017 10:20 pm I think it's just fine. Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34426 Posts	Posted 05/06/2017 10:47 pm Ok Ron, I trust your instincts, but could you describe how this might happen for a coin from around the year 100 AD? Is it a fouree? Maybe a lamination in the silver flan? Thx! "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 Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 05/06/2017 10:51 pm Beautiful toning on that coin, Dave, and a good strike. Nice. But, if you have any hesitation - any misgivings - send it back. For comparison, some others with various types of surface imperfections or lamination issues: Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 05/06/2017 10:54 pm I understand your reasons for concern, but I do not think you should be. There is a small area of delamination in front of the forehead. With ancient silver coins, horn silver* degradation or silver crystallization** may be the cause of the delamination. Appears to be a struck coin; signs of radial metal flow are visible. Have a look into the radial cracks with a high powered loupe. I am sure that you will find good silver metal inside those cracks, despite heavy sulfide or chloride toning. * Formation of a white pure silver powder (no longer present in this case) ** Ancient silver can degrade into pure silver crystals, which can seriously affect the bending strength of ancient silver coins. This is why ancient silver coins should be handled with care. Search Google for * and **. Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 05/06/2017 10:54 pm Dave, I really know very little about this type, not sure if they were made high grade silver or plated as this one seems to be. This type is pretty obscure and not too expensive, so I don't believe that someone would go to the trouble to fake it. I just found this PD on these coins it might help: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/d...20Arabia.pdf Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34426 Posts	Posted 05/07/2017 06:34 am @bob, thanks for the comparison coins. I do see at least one comp with what may be a plating issue. @sap, thanks for the idea to look in the cracks. This metal is at least silver in color. I do note that when I test this piece with my Sigma Metalytics on the 80% silver setting, this coin shows up as being below that standard. @ron, that is a very interesting reference from the British Academy--thanks! I guess at this point, I'm inclined to keep this coin. I'd welcome any additional thoughts from your guys or anyone else. Thx! "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 Report this Post to the Staff
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