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 Replies: 9 / Views: 4,481 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1490 Posts |
Good evening everyone. I just purchased this Porcius Festus Bronze Prutah as a Christmas gift for my Dad. I also purchased Kenneth Bressetts book " Money of the Bible". My question to the forum is whether this is an authentic bronze prutah. The reason I ask is that the palm branch has 7 leaves on the left side and I have not been able to find a picture of a bronze prutah with more than six leaves on the left side. I bough this from a brick and mortar coin shop that has been in business for quite some time so I dont think they would knowingly sell a fake. And again let me say that I am not an expert whatsoever in ancient coins so this may be authentic. That is why I am soliciting the forums expert opinion. Thanks   Edited by JimR
12/13/2008 9:41 pm
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Moderator
 Australia
16899 Posts |
Sorry, but I'm not familiar enough with the series to judge it fairly from those pics, but I don't see a problem with it myself, apart perhaps from overcleaning. Quote:
The reason I ask is that the palm branch has 7 leaves on the left side and I have not been able to find a picture of a bronze prutah with more than six leaves on the left side. Will this one put your mind at ease?   Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1490 Posts |
Thanks Sap I have since seen a couple with 7 branches. It appears the seven branch is much less common than the six branch. I am not sure if this is considered a variety or not. Other things that have me concerned about this coin are the A and P on the reverse, the O of WNO on the obverse and the color of the coin. The coins that I have looked at that have a complete O appear in fact to be an O. The one on this coin appears to have a tear drop shape. The A & P don't seem right to me after looking at several of these coins. Finally the color of this coin is a perfect bronze color. I find that suspicious and may be a result of cleaning. To be on the safe side I purchased this coin from FORVM Ancient Coins  NOw I just need to decide what to do with the first one I bought. Return it or keep it for me. |
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Moderator
Australia
16899 Posts |
All ancient coins have been cleaned. Some have simply had a more professional cleaning job than others. It may just be the lighting, but the one pictured in the OP looks like it's been stripped down to bare metal, with only a few traces of natural green copper patina showing in the cracks and crevices. Some ancient coins may require such harsh treatment, but this appearance is much less desirable than the other two coins posted so far in this thread.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1490 Posts |
Oh great. I have gone from bad to worse. I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to these ancient coins. I purchased the second one because more of the lettering was visible.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Jim, I like the second coin you pictured in this thread a little better for the more natural appearance.  An interesting piece of history. If I recall correctly, St. Paul had an audience before Porcius Festus to answer on charges of creating a public disturbance due to his preaching. At some point Festus said, "Your great learning has driven you mad". |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1490 Posts |
Thats right Kurt. It is in Acts 25 and 26. While in custody King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice show up and Paul speaks before them. King Agrippa tells Paul that he almost persuades him to become a Christian.
The color of the first prutah I purchased is just too nice and brown. I am having a hard time believing its been able to maintain this brown color for 2,000 plus years.
Thanks for the compliment on the second coin I purchased. I need a little of that since I am really out of my comfort and knowledge zone here.
Edited by JimR
12/14/2008 12:36 pm
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Valued Member
United States
499 Posts |
the coin in the OP appears to me to have been cleaned to bare metal and then evenly retoned. This isn't so much a sign of a fake coin as it is of an over cleaning. Someone counterfieting this coin would try to make the finish look more like one of the other coins posted. Whether you return it depends on your personal taste.
Richard
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1490 Posts |
Yes I returned the one in the OP and have received the second one that I purchased from Forvm. It has much better eye appeal, lettering ect and was the same price.
Thanks for everyones input.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
671 Posts |
You definitely did the right thing. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 4,481 |
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Posted 12/14/2008 09:44 am
