Fake Octavian Denarius

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by alde, Jan 25, 2017.

  1. alde

    alde Always Learning

    I got this coin from an ebay seller in Europe who is no longer selling under the name he was when I bought the coin. As soon as I got it I reported it to ebay as a fake. Within an hour the seller issued a refund and never asked for the coin back. It has a weight of 3.60 grams and the edges look pretty good but after looking at several examples of real ones on-line it's just not right. The style seems way off to me and it just looks funny. What do you guys think? Fake Octavian.jpg
     
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  3. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Well, the fact he refunded your money without asking for the coin in return answers the question!
     
  4. alde

    alde Always Learning

    My thought too. What I guess I am asking is what red flags do people with more experience see. I'm trying to learn what to keep a look out for.
     
  5. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    I would start by watching out for ebay sellers that you don't know well.
     
  6. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    The style is 'off' and the surfaces look 'soft'. Sellers dealing in fakes often supply poor photos too.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2017
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  7. alde

    alde Always Learning

    After looking at several on line the biggest sore thumb to me was the galley prow. There are no other examples even close. I am learning to not get too excited over what looks like a good deal.
     
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  8. Carthago

    Carthago Does this look infected to you?

    Your gut regarding style is correct. It's not right. It looks to me like it may be struck or pressed from completely forged dies, not even transferred from an original coin. This is what a real one looks like. Note the detail in the chariot has figures on it where yours does not, as and example.

    Octavian CRI 416 Rauch 2015.jpg
     
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  9. alde

    alde Always Learning

    It's really obvious when you see a real one. Beautiful coin by the way.
     
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  10. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    What a neat way to form a free "study" cabinet! :greedy:
     
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  11. saltysam-1

    saltysam-1 Junior Member

    I was in Italy and every booth had fakes for sale, specially Rome; coins and all kinds of artifacts. They don't care if your a tourist, so they will lie to you because there is no recourse when you get back home. I wanted a blessed rosary by the Pope; not only for several of my family members but others at work. I only dealt within the Vatican at permanent outlets. The others just believe if you hold it up towards Rome, or where the Pontiff lives, that's close enough.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2017
  12. red_spork

    red_spork Triumvir monetalis

    This should be expected in just about any source country(Greece, Italy, Israel, Egypt, etc.). Just about anywhere ancient coins can be found in the ground will have restrictions on their trade and export. There are a few legit dealers in cities like Rome and Jerusalem as well for instance, but they will offer you full government-issued export permits. If they don't you're either breaking the law or buying fakes, and the overwhelming majority of the time it's the latter.
     
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  13. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    I had a similar experience to saltysam-1 when I visited Ephesus Roman ruins Turkey, on leaving I was ushered into the back room of his tourist artifacts shop and shown all these 1st and 2nd century excellent detail although soft Roman bronzes, also a bonus was a nice seam around all the edges. On reflection they probably sell a lot because if you weren't a collector they looked good, I politely declined.
     
  14. Blake Davis

    Blake Davis Well-Known Member

    Check out the Forum site - it has an excellent database of fakes and I bet this is there as well
     
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