| Author |
 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,274 |
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Just won this coin and am thrilled to add it to my collection. Looking forward to it arriving. While the obverse is not in the best condition the legend is just readable. Maybe not a rare coin but an important one. AR Penny Anglo Saxon Kings of Wessex Alfred the Great 871-899 circa 877-880's Obverse: ΛELFRED REX SΛX Reverse: BER HAH MOHETΛ 17MM X 1.1g Ref: North 629   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_the_Great |
|
|
|
Valued Member
Netherlands
91 Posts |
Hmmm, hate to be that guy, but I sadly don't think that this penny is genuine. The seller virtually deals only in fakes, and I don't think this one looks genuine either. Don't like the way the black patina looks on the reverse and the form of the letters on the revere do not resemble those of this issue. Shame! What did you end up paying?
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I have to disagree I've bought from this dealer many times and the coins have all been genuine. I am new to Anglo Saxon coinage but have done some research and from that I am convinced it's genuine. Hopefully others will comment on it. I appreciate your comment.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
I have to agree with AnYangMan. I would expect a genuine example, even in poor condition, to bring the better part of $1000. North lists this type as "very rare". While most of this seller's (lamarstreasures) coins appear genuine, he has recently been listing some clunkers. The Burgred discussed recently is another.
Edited by Kushanshah
03/12/2019 6:11 pm
|
|
Valued Member
Netherlands
91 Posts |
And I too am definitely not an expert either! Just to make sure; you got it from this ( https://www.ebay.com/usr/dradjord11) seller, am I right? He has been on Forvm's fakesellers list since the beginning of this year and browsing through his recently ended lots, there is not a single one I would deem genuine (except for maybe the low quality LRB's that didn't sell). This lozenge-type is quite rare, with only a handful of coins available at any given time. And as Kushanshah mentioned, even worn specimens fetch at least one or two thousand. While certainly not impossible, I doubt they can be bought for 66 bucks from Serbia! |
|
Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
The seller isn't from Serbia, I would never buy any coins from that part of the world. He is a dealer from my home state of Washington. He does not appear on any fake seller list. I get the impression he doesn't know a lot about coins because they all start at $.99 and with a general description. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Merovingia....m1438.l2649When the coin arrives I intend to give it a light cleaning and post some other images. If in fact it does turn out to be fake, It will be a lesson learned and not a lot of money spent |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
Edited by Kushanshah
03/12/2019 6:27 pm
|
|
Valued Member
Netherlands
91 Posts |
Ah, I see what happened. The seller you bought it from must have in turn bought it from the fake seller. It is undoubtley the same coin ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/British-Me...047675.l2557) I agree that the seller you bought it from does indeed have mostly genuine coins, but I am doubtful of the occasional. In fact, I see more than one from the same source as this penny listed. Edit: Kushanshah beat me to it! Indeed a shame Ron. Edited by AnYangMan
03/12/2019 6:25 pm
|
|
Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Thanks for the link KS, you both have convinced me. I've contacted the seller and requested a cancellation, awaiting his reply.
Thank you both for setting me right.
He is refunding the money.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
900 Posts |
Nice detective work here. I know nothing about these coins, but an interesting read. Well you have free 30 day returns from a 100% positive seller, so it shouldn't be an issue. I do find it humorous that he flipped the coin for a loss. I thought I was the only one who did business that way.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
@echizento As a start in Anglo-Saxon coins, genuine Northumbrian stycas are both interesting and affordable. I would also recommend Spink's "Coins of England" (SCBC), if you don't have a copy already. North's 2-volume "English Hammered Coins" is the standard reference but now out of print, I think.
Sorry to have rained on your sunny day!
|
|
Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
No problem I'm glad you did otherwise I would have never known. This is a new area for me so I should probably buy the books first.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
I am sorry that it was not real Ron. I am another that would highly recommend SCBC. I have found it very useful and it is readily available.
|
|
Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
I just ordered a copy of Spinks.
|
|
Moderator
United States
34427 Posts |
Quote:
I just ordered a copy of Spinks. Very good. Special thx to @aym and @ks for their helpful sleuthing! "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
|
|
Valued Member
United States
66 Posts |
I'd bought a Tetricus from Lamarstreasures a couple/few years ago, and was "alarmed" at the direction this posting was taking. I'd exchanged a few emails with "Lamar" at the time, and he didn't seem to be a specialist in ancients. (If memory serves, sometime later he had for auction a rare item in one of my "actual" areas of expertise :-), and I was pleased to see it...) Thanks for the useful discussion.
|
| |
Replies: 15 / Views: 2,274 |
|
Posted 03/12/2019 3:41 pm
