Could i get some info on these coins weather they are real or not.. i dont have the weight of the coins but i know they are pure silver.. I would assume if one is fake then they all would be. any help is appreciated!
From left to right, top row: Philip I - AEQVITAS AVGG - aequitas standing holding scales and cornucopia, then Philip II - PAX AETERNA - pax standing holding branch and a sceptre, then Gallienus, I don't know that reverse. second row: Gordian III - Emperor standing TRP IIII, then a Philip I - PAX AETERNA - pax advancing left holding branch and sceptre, then another Gordian III - Emperor standing TRP IIII third row: Trebonianus Gallus - SAECULLVM NOVVM - hexastyle temple with statue of roma inside, I can't see if it has any of the dots or numerals seen with this type below the temple. then Herennia Etruscilla - PUDICITIA AVG - pudicitia seated removing veil from face. and last Gordian III - CONCORDIA MILIT - concordia seated holding patera.
You could also try posting photos in the 'What's it Worth' forum here. But the best way to get the current prices is to watch coins on ebay, or look through ones that have sold recently.
All fake is my verdict. Possibly of the tourist souvenir variety. The style is off and please note that the two Gordians in the middle row are identical -- right down to the flan, which would be impossible even with a die match. Also, none of these coins would be "pure" silver. They might look silver, but would be debased silver, especially the Gallienus, which would be billon at best. Even the toning looks artificial. Sorry.
Agreed. They look off, and the identical flan is another +1. If you are feeling brave you can test out the metallic content with an acid test, the one I have turns silver a nice blue on my rubbing stone. Hopefully they REALLY are silver, and that what they're worth is close to spot. It's better to know in the end right? I've seen these in Nickel silver aka "German silver", tin, aluminum layered on top of lead, steel, etc. When I first got in to Roman coins, I don't know how many times I've been burned due to high enthusiasm. My fault, my education. FWIW, those coins would be nice educational pieces to get younger folks motivated.
I agree with this. If you somehow proved that they are mostly silver (none should be more than about 50% silver at most), then they're definitely fake.
Darn, my mistake, I didn't notice the two Gordian III ones having identical flans. Most of the coins look like they must be well made fakes then..... I was a little sceptical of the toning... but they have the right look, and you can even see the pressure lines around the letters in the reverse legend, it's especially noticeable on the two Philip I ones, top row far left, and second row middle. I'm sorry if I got your hopes up.
I thought they looked off yesterday but didn't want to post if I was not sure. These coins are supposed to be made decades apart, with different metal compositions, yet they look identical. I have bought hoards like this, and different era coins look different even in the same hoard. To me, these are easier to see via photo that they are fakes because they are in a group. Separate these out and I would say you would need to see them in hand to determine they are false. We could be wrong here. I would get them in person to a knowledgable dealer or collector before finally saying if they are false or real. Chris P.S. Yeah, the two Gordians on line two are EXTREMELY suspicious. I noticed them yesterday and that was my first red flag.
Depends on what we mean by "well made fakes." They were made well, indeed, just like a lawn chair or headphones are "well made" when the industrial process is adhered to. But that is the point: these are modern industrial products, not ancient. In that sense, they are not "well made." They did not fool anyone here who knows ancients. You own a few, and you know. Look: I worked with a woman whose parents passed away -- it happens when you get old -- and they inherited a Chrysler minivan. But her husband worked for Ford. When he drove it in, he got razzed. So, he got an old Ford nameplate and put it on the van. They got the humor and left him alone -- but no one who knows cars would be fooled. These coins with Romans on them are like that: a nameplate stuck on something it is not.
Yes, I understand... the reason I said 'well made' was because I noticed they even have pressure lines coming from the letters....but I guess with modern technology, one can fake that as well.
