Tetradrachm Form Amphipolis : Probably A Copy, But.

@anc, can you please add a couple pics showing the edge (for completeness)? The details on the obverse and reverse sides seem quite fine to have been cast though. Thx.

Thank you Victor. Yes, it is almost a perfect match. The edges are normal (in the sense : no thin line showing a moulding)

Just as a casual observer: I do find it interesting that both coins have a metal blob 2/3 down the left side of the square and a die dot above the flame near the top left corner. Is the implication here that these were struck from the same die?

Could be a die chip, but that feature can appear on the original (genuine or reproduction? ) die.

I notice that minor clothing detail is slightly different in each of the coins.
HOWEVER, that does not necessarily mean that either of them is irrefutably genuine,
because minor modifications can easily be made on the die by the forger.


When testing for silver, XRF is not a totally conclusive proof in this case.
When testing metals in ancient coins, it is necessary to look for minor impurities and their proportions, and not necessarily for silver, although silver must predominately present at over (say) 98%.

Other corroborative testing and examination should be done on this coin to improve the confidence if genuine or otherwise.


A good reference on the subject of forgery of numismatically significant coins is
Numismatic Forgery by Charles M Larson Copyright 2004
ISBN 0-9742371-2-3, publ. Zyrus Press Irvine, CA.
(Gives good insight in hoe very quality forged coins are made that can even evade a cursory examination by professionals, - as can sometimes happen with internationally recognized auction houses.)

I agree with you, unfortunately