Stupidcoinguy

So I bought this years ago because the dealer said it was nearly 2000 years old. Cost--->$49. So can anyone tell me a little about the history of this coin? Being that it is so old I imagine it was created during a time where whatever ruler of that time was in power, that is what image would be on the money. Not entirely for sure about that though. And is the thing real or just a fake? Can you tell by the pics?

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ASUtodd

I'm not an ancient collector, BUT I can look up other Tribute Pennies and compare. If you look at the pictures I have attached to this post you will see that yours looks nothing like them. Your coin looks as if someone tried to carve it out of another coin or chunk of metal. Even in the most worn examples I posted below there are tons of detail that your coin lacks and it isn't as worn as some of them are. I personally would say it is fake, but again...I am not an ancient collector. I am merely trying to assist you...

ASUtodd

Also, here is a sight that list some of these coins and gives you an idea of what the weight should be... Hope this helps! http://www.forumancientcoins.com/cat...s.asp?vpar=807
Todd

Ardatirion

Its an ancient counterfeit, struck in India sometime during the first century.
This specimen appears to be a die match to your coin:
(Note the reverse legend: PONTIK MAXIM)

A very interesting coin that I, at least, would be happy to own. But if you're looking for a "Tribute penny," then you'd best try again.

One last thing: this isn't really a "Tribute penny." Mark had a tendency to Latinize all denominations for his audience. In the east, Roman silver denarii would not have circulated much at this time. A drachm of some sort is a much more likely candidate.

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Stupidcoinguy

So sad. But I shall keep it as a novelty, because I paid $49 for what appears to be worth about $5 in silver. If it is indeed silver all the way through.



Edit: Did you say this coin most likely is nearly 2000 years old?

Ardatirion

More than most likely. It definitely is 2000 years old. Just not an official product of the Rome mint.

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Stupidcoinguy

Sweet, so how much is a 2000 year old counterfeit coin worth?

Ripley

LOL...Now that is a funny old fake. I love it. I'll give you a buck for it. I collect counterfeits. Traci

HandsomeToad

It's actually worth more than that. It's a 2000 year old contemporary counterfeit and there are collectors that would love to have it for their collection but I have no clue what it's actually worth.

Ribbit

Ardatirion

I'd say at least what you paid. I've seen some dealers sell them for around $100.

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Ardatirion

I collect contemporary ancient counterfeits.
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gal...php?album=1602

About as funny as modern, high quality counterfeit notes.

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Drusus

very interesting peice...

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dougsmit

My photo of this type was posted above but I want to make clear that this coin is not a counterfeit. Counterfeits are made to fool fools and are aimed at providing something less than an original. This is money of necessity intended to be better than the real thing in a place that could not get enough proper denarii to met demand. When Rome started debasing denarii in or around the time of Nero, it went over like a lead balloon in some places that had come to look upon Roman denarii as trustworthy. The result was some local imitations made not to deceive but to provide circulating silver of the expected purity and weight. Some might call it a token of the class we see later in 'Hard Times' or 'Civil War' but since these were made to circulate outside the Roman Empire, it might be better to call them a Trade coin rather than a token. I suspect they were made in the first century AD but after the time of Tiberius. Your coin has a small chip so it may be a bit under my coin which weighs 3.63g. I have never seen one less than the high 3.5's so I suspect your (with chip) would fall around that weight. I posted my page on it a dozen years ago:
http://dougsmith.ancients.info/feac5.html

You should sell the coin if you consider it a counterfeit. You were correctly advised that they tend to go for about $100 (again the chip might have some effect). The existing supply of these entered the market about 15 years ago and number somewhere in the range of 2-3 dozen. There are people who appreciate the subject who should be willing to buy it for more than you paid but I can't imagine what kind of 'real' Tribute Penny you will get for $100 these days. There are other Indian copies including gold aureii (which often have twin holes at the top since many of them seemed to have been used as decorative items later on).

I wish you well and especially that you stick with the hobby long enough to appreciate a coin of this nature for what it is. Someone looking for one may have trouble finding it but both supply and demand are very small.

Bluegill

Speaking as someone who is both interested in ancient coins and who likes to draw and paint people, that profile is fantastic! That nose, big eye, and protruding lower lip are amazing. Maybe the die engraver was doing his best to make it look like the original, but might he have been having fun and been very pleased with the result?

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Ripley

Bluegill, its the first conceptual piece of modern art...
Adoration - I love the Celt Phillip II - The horse is soooooooo Celt.
DC - you rule !!!! Traci