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 Replies: 8 / Views: 7,342 |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Hello. I have a coin that I believe is a "Kings of Lydia" (5th century BC) half Stater (Siglos), from the time of King Croesus (Kroisos). How can I tell if this coin is authentic? What is it's approximate value? The coin weighs 6.1 grams. It appears to be silver. Thanks for the help.   Edited by mschaaf
01/11/2011 4:11 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
It looks authentic enough from pics on the screen, but such coins NEED to be examined in the hand by an experienced expert.
If you live remote, write to one of the major U.S. dealers with some pics, and ask them to examine it for you. Being a dealer, they will almost certainly give you an offer for it. You don't have to sell, but they may need to be paid for their opinion.
That's the price of expertise.
What is it's provenance? Can that be backed up with evidence?
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New Member
 United States
4 Posts |
The provenance...? I purchased the coin from three very rough-looking characters whom I met inspecting the grounds around some ruins in southern Turkey last summer. After a very awkward and suspicious introduction (I surprised them during a smoke break), I asked what they were doing and they said they were Iraqis raising some money while "on vacation" in Turkey. Hmm. Picture a scene from National Geographic. After some small talk in Turkish, one of them produced a pocket full of coins from a range of periods, from Greek to Roman. I purchased only this one, fully aware that because of the circumstances it was almost certainly a fake. Coin "dealers" can be found hovering around touristy ruins (although this one wasn't) in the Mediterranean region. The coins they sell are always very obviously counterfeit. I lowered the price of this particular coin to it's entertainment value and proceeded on my journey, thinking nothing of it until now.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
It is a much copied coin type. Copies can appear as casts of original coins and have even appeared from dies created from casts of original coins, which have then had their details sharpened. I would strongly agree with getting the coin to a specialist ancient coin dealer for their opinion. It is virtually impossible to jusge authenticity from these images I am afraid.
Regards,
Martin
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Thanks very much, Martin and sel_691. I'll take your advice and send the coin to an ancient coin appraiser for an inspection. It may take a month or so but I'll post an update when I hear back.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
mschaaf: That's a fascinating story!
I can relate to that with similar experience.
I have been in the Grand Bazaar in Islambul, where they have all sorts of fine art copies in practically every category that you can imagine. I have seen fake coins, fake antique watches, paintings, porcelain, metalwork, gemstones and jewelry.
The Grand Bazaar is fascinating place, and well worth a visit. It is almost worth buying fakes, provided they are at the right price, of course! I bought a 14k gold 4 band Turkish Puzzle ring for my girlfriend. She, as far as I know, still has it. Pity. She now lives in England, and I still live in Australia!
Edited by sel_69l
01/12/2011 12:57 am
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Valued Member
Canada
54 Posts |
I'm on the fence about it's authenticy-it looks ariginal,although the wear on the one side maybe a bit funny....I'm not familiar with this particular coin though and don't know what one with that amount of wear should look like.I suspect that if it was sold on the Bay as is(not sure about authenticy,ect) it would fetch $60 to 100.
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Update: The coin is indeed a modern forgery according to David R. Sear of Ancient Coin Certification Service. The irregularities he noted include: its weight (6 g versus 5.3-5.4 g for a genuine half Stater), its shape (flan too elongated), and the somewhat sketchy rendering on the obverse.
Not a surprise to me at all. I'm just happy to know more about it. Thanks to all for the replies!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Now that the coin has been for a very authoritative opinion, it has to be worth something as a fake! It is certainly worth keeping for your own reference. That's what I do with all fakes. I have never sold a fake purporting to be genuine or fake, because I would then loose reference material for my own education.
So long as they are clearly labelled in your collection, or are kept separately with your reference books.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 7,342 |
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Posted 01/11/2011 1:49 pm
