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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,515 |
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New Member
Netherlands
4 Posts |
I am a professional numismatist from the Netherlands, but I don't specialize in ancient coins. This tetradrachm has been in my container 'authentic?' for a while. Maybe the community can help me out. the Weight is 16.872 grams and the diameter is 24mm. It definitely looks struck, not cast. The obverse is turned 90 degrees. Any and all thoughts on authenticity, type and/or catalog references would be highly appreciated.   |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5238 Posts |
 to the CCF! If real, it is an excellent example with near perfect centering. We have a lot of very knowledgable people year, so expect a reply very soon. I have a modest knowledge of ancients, and from the picture nothing seems obviously wrong. |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
If fake, then excellent. If any doubts,
Need to compare on the various data bases for fake ancient coins for this one.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2099 Posts |
This is far from my area of expertise but I will share my opinion.
The helmet is plain and crest here seems to be attached by a zigzag band. These are attributes of what is referred to as the Archaic issues dating to c. 500 B.C. The style of the bust however is not consistent with the style of engraving of these archaic issues. The style of the bust seems much more akin to the Classic issues with the almond eye though the eye here is not large enough not almond shaped enough to be consistent with those issues. The later, transitional issues have a profile eye.
I think that this is a modern, fantasy piece attempting to capture some of the elements of an archaic issue but combining the style of some of the later issues.
I am happy for anyone to disagree with the above as it is the opinion of someone who has only dabbled with Athenian Owl coins.
Regards,
Martin
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
725 Posts |
I know very little about these (although I do own one) but the obverse looks too good to be true. Usually, Athena is too large for the flan and so either her nose or the crest are off-flan, at least a little. On this coin, Athena is the perfect size with room to spare. Also, Athena's face looks a bit sunken, the crest is plain (so archaic, while Athena looks later) and the flan is also a bit strange - quite round but not neatly so on one side. See examples here: https://www.coinarchives.com/a/resu...&results=100Having said that, there are vast numbers of varieties, official and unofficial, struck over 100+ years at central and provincial mints, so it takes a real expert to rule a coin out on style alone. Edited by JohnConduitt
10/19/2021 10:06 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
725 Posts |
Quote:
The helmet is plain and crest here seems to be attached by a zigzag band. These are attributes of what is referred to as the Archaic issues dating to c. 500 B.C. The style of the bust however is not consistent with the style of engraving of these archaic issues. Sorry, my post overlapped. But our non-expert opinions are very similar! Another consideration - if it cost less than $1000, it probably isn't real. Edited by JohnConduitt
10/19/2021 10:14 am
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New Member
Albania
1 Posts |
After hundreds of fakes Athena tetradrachms listed at prestigious auctions, glad to see at last a good piece.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
To the community If it's fake it's a well struck one. I don't see any signs of casting. IMO it's genuine. |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
to the Community! |
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
With a perfect strike, perfect centering, everything on the flan *AND* being in late archaic/transitional style, that's either a 5-6 figure coin, or a tourist copy.
It's a tourist copy.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2214 Posts |
As others said the style is of the period about 500-480 BC. These are scarce and few examples exist in VF+ condition. My opinion is it's modern not ancient. You could send it to NGC or David Sear for authentification. If genuine it's a superb example worth a lot but I doubt it. I wouldn't buy it unless it's been examined by experts. See:
1. acsearch.info
2. Forgery Network
3. Forum Ancient Coins fake coins listings.
Edited by livingwater
11/23/2021 11:00 am
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,515 |
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Posted 10/19/2021 07:57 am
