Hi, I just seen this auction today and was wondering do you think it is fake? I am considering bidding on it if real, but it probably isn`t real http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160817082515&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123 The diameter is correct, I asked the seller is it magentic he said it isn`t all sounds ok, but maybe it isn`t bearing in mind I know absolutely nothing about ancient coins. Thanks in advance -Owen
From the wear marks and it looks like some bankers marks on the reverse it looks OK but I am not 100%
I don't like it much, sorry. Both from a private listing, (always makes you nervous), but the general feel of the coin, (the chinese call it the shen), I don't get the feel its real. The coin had to have been cleaned, but now is terribly dark for a silver coin, and not the correct chade of silver. Style looks a little off, but these are hard since there were many struck and styles varied widely. I would ask the seller for the weight first off.
IMHO you could get it for a few dollars ( and not more ). Don't feel very comfortable with it but could be real ( probability let's say 20%....) Cheers Philippe
Thanks for all the replies Just sent the question of the weight, it should be around 4g from what I can see in my book? The darkness of the coin might be just a picture taken with a lack of light see this one: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/1998-British...WDVW&rd=1&ih=006&category=141165&cmd=ViewItem In reference to the marks on the reverse they look too planned (if you know what I mean) to be wear, I just researched what a bank mark is and yes I would agree with you. I will get back to you with the weight of the coin as soon as Thanks so much guys -Owen
Yeah, close to 4 grams. Its not perfect, but a quick way to see if its worth pursuing further. I never rely on diameter for ancient coins really, as it can depend on many things, but most ancients if made of gold or silver were pretty precise on the weight. These were struck to pay soldiers many times, and you didn't want to short pay the men guarding your life.
Actually Julius Caesar who was a very wealthy Roman citizen ( able to afford 1 million sestertii for a jewel ) did not pay so well since it was murdered ( it is true, by his own family )
I notice on ebay people sometimes use white metal to describe an item which they don`t know what metal its made from sometimes silver, rarily platinum etc
