Is My New Alexander Real? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 17 / Views: 2,169	Page: of 2
Prometheus New Member United States 13 Posts	Posted 07/30/2018 11:41 pm Just bought my first Alexander and have some doubts about authenticity... Any advice would be great. Thank you Report this Post to the Staff

Prometheus New Member United States 13 Posts	Posted 07/30/2018 11:57 pm Hi..one more thing...it's 16+ grams and 28mm. The folks on another forum said it was cast...I just need a second opinion...the seller was not on the fake sellers list...and does accept returns...I love history and ancient coins..just not an expert in either...Again I thank you. Report this Post to the Staff
BigSilver Pillar of the Community United States 2843 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 12:29 am I am going to agree with cast. Very grainy and mushy detail on reverse. Report this Post to the Staff
Prometheus New Member United States 13 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 01:08 am Yeah... When I first got it it just felt wrong.. But I've been wrong before.. So here I am... Sad, but wiser.. Thank you so much... Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 01:22 am Does not have raised little bumps that indicate cast, but the rough texture does. I won't completely write it off. A surface like this can be the result direct soil contact in ground burial, and acid cleaning with severe rubbing to clean it. Would like to see the results of XRF analysis, looking for trace metals, not silver. The ancients could not refine silver above about 97%, hence the reason for looking for trace metals. If it is of modern manufacture, the alloying metal would most probably be copper only, and nothing else. Take it to a bullion dealer or a scrap gold buyer. That is where you will find someone with a hand held XRF instrument. They may charge a fee. Edited by sel_69l 07/31/2018 01:58 am Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 74806 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 01:41 am Take sel_69I's advice. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
Prometheus New Member United States 13 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 09:44 am Excellent advice.. I'm still waiverin Report this Post to the Staff
Prometheus New Member United States 13 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 09:50 am Vasilating...I just got up... Sorry.. The weight seems right and upon magnification it appears genuine. The seller said it was cleaned. It was only $100.. seems like a low price... Rather not return it if it is real... It does appear to be solid silver... Thank you folks again for all your wisdom and advice. Report this Post to the Staff
FVRIVS RVFVS Pillar of the Community United States 3443 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 09:51 am I would second the opinion that it can't be written off although a coin in this condition needs to be viewed with some scepticism I am going to assume you must have paid a "bargain" price If you paid more than $30 I would send it back. A badly worn common tetradrachm with more 'redeeming' qualities could be bought instead. In fact one with a hole drilled through it would be preferable Report this Post to the Staff
FVRIVS RVFVS Pillar of the Community United States 3443 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 09:53 am A hundred dollars !! Ouch ! A quick google search turned up this realatively recent CNG sale While the six coins are all drachms I think you might get some insights https://www.cNGCoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=344316 Edited by FVRIVS RVFVS 07/31/2018 10:11 am Report this Post to the Staff
Prometheus New Member United States 13 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 10:44 am Thank you all... The quality is not an issue for me.. I'm honored just to have such a piece of history, if genuine.. I bought another one that's been verified authentic... Report this Post to the Staff
AlRashid Valued Member Canada 167 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 1:55 pm Hi I agree with sel_69l totally indeed that is the way I do for all coins in my collection and I verified they all had trace elements found in genuine coins and silver purity can be another indication for example a first century roman denarii should be 90% or more specially in earlier half of 1st century the purity was 97% to 99% so if you found a roman denarii of augustus/tiberius/J.Caesar and it had less than 93% its more likely fake. Also for roman coins of third century the opposite rule applies they have silver purity of 45-75% if you see an instant with more than 90% then its suspicious. So this could be a great help although I heard some forgers take these into consideration but I am hoping not for common coins yet :) Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 189340 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 2:38 pm to the Community! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Prometheus New Member United States 13 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 3:34 pm Once again I thank you... Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 07/31/2018 4:37 pm The surface of the coin would indicate either exposure to the environment or being cast. This is a coin the a novice collector should avoid. Was this and ebay purchase or from a dealer? Report this Post to the Staff
Prometheus New Member United States 13 Posts	Posted 08/03/2018 9:30 pm EBay...said he'd take it back..I'm going to keep it as a reminder and example of what not to look for. Report this Post to the Staff
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