Need To Gather Up Opinions, Apparently...(Authenticity Check)

Die detail suggests all from same die,
or that all are cast, using the same original.
I am not happy, when it comes to the metal surface texture of any of the coins in the pictures.

As already pointed out, the flan shape is the same, for all three coins, = red flag.

On the obverse, at 1 o'clock of the third picture pair,
I can see the remains of an edge join.

Therefore, all three must be fake.


If the sellers are happy to pull them, that would be good.
XRF testing could be conclusive, looking for trace metal mix, not silver.

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VCoins reputation needs to be preserved - I use this site for a rough guide for coin valuations and preliminary identifications.

Ah, lo and behold. Just received an email (less than five minutes ago) from the seller: "Thank you Bob again for the time and support I will take the coin off from the store and my site as I'm fully convinced on your research."

The outcome is good here. The coin has been removed. I will still go ahead and gather up the comments and send them to VCoins and the seller.

I'd like to share a few of those comments here. I've received these (below) through private communications. I think these well considered responses may be helpful for lurkers who may be new to the hobby and who may be on the lookout for fakes.

1. From the owner of the largest and most impressive private collection of Parthian coins in the world:

"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the three coins come from the same mold. The identical shape of the flans, the flan seam visible on the ebay sample, the shape of the legend on the reverse, the telltale identical points on the obverse (where the diadem meets the hair above the eye, the shape and waves of the beard, the equal distance between the border and the edge of the flan, etc.), and the fact that there is a third coin now with these characteristics makes them fakes. I hesitated when I looked at the (seller's name) coin because it is conceivable that pits on the surface occur naturally, especially if there were iron inclusions in the metal that were washed out over time. But in these early coins the metal was still quite decent and they were made with greater care than the later ones. I became quite certain that these are fakes when I looked closer at the ebay coin (its mere existence being the main reason for that, but also the many identical points and the shape of the flan). There was no doubt left when you found the third coin. Even if there is room to argue about the imagery of a coin (which there is not in this case) the absolute clincher is the identical shape of the three flans. This simply does not occur in individually struck coins.
Quite peculiar is the reaction of the owner, to say the least. He wants to appear cooperative and approachable but not take the logical and convincing step of removing the coin from his shop until he has ascertained its status beyond a doubt. If, as he claims, he had compunctions about the coin upon receiving it he should not have put it up for sale. He cannot have it both ways."

2. From the owner of the well-known Parthicus Collection, some of which was sold at CNG a few years ago. He is a very well respected authority on Parthian coinage:

"A. The perfect match to two other specimens that you showed in the CCF post is damning enough all by itself. Yes, die matches are possible, especially on a scarcer coin type that didn't use very many individual dies. But a die match that is struck exactly the same amount and direction off center on all three coins, on flans that match exactly in shape (especially the ding or indent at 12:00, as William noted), with the same amount of 'wear'? Does not happen, and anyone with enough experience to set themselves up as a dealer surely knows this.

B. Mushy, cast appearance of the coin. This is a bit more subjective than point A, but based on this I personally would not buy the coin, even without knowing about the perfect match to two other specimens. The uneven 'wear' is also notable here. The beard on the specimen in question is heavily worn while the hair on top of the head is not- both should show similar amounts of wear.

I can't say for sure whether this was cast from a genuine specimen or whether fake dies were involved at some point, but this (and the other two) is clearly fake, and the honest and honorable thing to do would be to remove it for sale and permanently consign it to a 'black cabinet'. Feel free to include my name or to quote me in your response to the seller, if you think it will help."

3. From a serious Parthian collector who I correspond with on occasion:

"I am suspicious of the coin in question...in terms of style, this example just doesn't look right...The coin in question does indeed show signs of casting (as you can see bubbling). The "fabric" and patina of the coin just look, well, off. The type on the reverse is quite different in style in relation to the authentic coins posted. Also, the details look mushy, which could be countered with 'well, the coin is worn.' Indeed, the questionable 'coin' is worn, but the wear is uneven and artificial. I also take note of the ding at the 12 O'Clock on the coin (as well as the other suspicious specimens for comparison) and note that it appears that all 3 'coins.' Hopefully our collective observations reach the right people, and our joint efforts are a success in getting this removed."

Nice work Bob! Thanks to you some buyer who knows less will not get stuck with a fake coin. If a newcomer to ancients gets a fake it could turn them from the hobby forever.

I would like to say another thank you Bob.

I was duped when I bought the coin mentioned, and the others from the same source, but thanks to your advice I was able to return the coins and get a full refund. If I was not a member of this community, and had not posted the pictures, I could have carried on believing that they were genuine. There is no doubt that I would have had a great disappointment further down the line.

You not only do a great service to this community, and it's members, but to all collectors of ancient coins.

Jim

Well done.