If you are near Columbia, Missouri this week you should find the time to check out an exhibit of counterfeit, imitation and altered coins at the University of Missouri. Admission is FREE. Counterfeit, imitation, altered coins on display at University of Missouri museum
A facinating display, no doubt. I wonder, though, about ancient "counterfeits."It is my perhaps distorted perception that there was a great lack of uniformity in examples of the designs of single coin types. That is, two or more of the same coin, minted in the same time, will have minor, or major, differences. Given this, how is one to determine that one may be counterfeit.As your quote indicates, some may have base metal cores coated with precious metals. I wonder about this in that I wasn't aware that plating or cladding was an ancient practice. Even if it was, I wouldn't doubt but that the mints of regimes in hard times would have resorted to this practice to increase their wealth.I'm far from an expert on ancient coinage; perhaps I should read up on it.
Counterfeiters in ancient times made counterfeit coins to deceive a shopkeeper (or anyone who accepted coins in a transaction). They did not make counterfeit coins to deceive coin collectors because there were not many around back then. (Perhaps a few kings and emperors but that's about it.) The counterfeiters made a profit by putting in less precious metal in their coins than was supposed to be in the coins. The penalty for counterfeiting was death so they were taking quite a chance.
I'd love to see that exhibit Bruce, but a little too far away for me to travel to. I've always had an interest in collecting this type of material, but only have a small number of imitations. I've seen counterfeits but was never able to acquire any for my collection. Thanks for the thread. Bruce
