Could use help with this Domitian

This coin was struck after Vespasian's deification under Titus. DIVI VESP F = Son of the Divine Vespasian. The full legend - CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN COS VII. Domitian's name could be rendered both as DOMITIAN or DOMITIANVS, neither is rarer than the other for this issue.

 

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This is exactly why I believe the coin should not be kept. I agree that the coin is special and of interest to Ken who is one of the most experienced among us. You could even joke about Brillo. Not every coin belongs in every collection. Its value is educational but not monetary and would not be appreciated by the 99% of collectors who would see it as faulty or question its authenticity. It is the kind of coin I would buy if I saw it in a junk box because I could learn from it rather than regret having bought it. I hope you will decide to trade it if you don't return it.

 

Hi David, thanks for the info. You have a great Flavian site on Forum too. Thank you for putting that information up there.

 

Hi Doug, thanks for the input. I am considering what you are saying but it is difficult to respond without writing a page or two. Though I say I’m a casual collector, don’t think I can’t appreciate this coin, lowly though it may be. I have a very large library and spend many hours studying coins, and have for many years. I would hope I’m in your 1% who can look beyond the faults.
The underlying coin here has great artistry, style, historical and technical interest, but due to the altered surface, you could almost say it is a real coin disguised as a fake. I haven’t identified the seller, but anyone who is interested can find out easily enough by googling the photo caption. There are other similar examples on the site. No mention is made of altered surfaces. Imagine if someone did this to a 1794 cent and tried to pass it off at an EAC meeting.
I don’t normally sell any coins, and don’t really want to be rid of this one. I obviously couldn’t sell it for what I paid. The market value is maybe half that, on a good day. The trade idea sounds ok if someone wanted it. I’m happy to keep it though.
Thanks for your advice.
Almost forgot - I'm hoping to go to the FUN show next month in Orlando on Thursday or Friday. I might take the coin along if anyone wants to look at it.

 

I believe we differ on the term 'altered surfaces'. The standards for 1794 US cents which are expected to have spent 200 years in a sock drawer are different than those for ancient bronzes that do not exist uncleaned. All ancient coins have been cleaned. Those with an inch of dirt used to have two inches. We judge based on how well they were cleaned not that they wee cleaned. Certainly we do discriminate against coins that have been poorly cleaned or overcleaned and certainly reject coins that have been tooled to enhance detail or add detail that never was there in the first place. The seller you used has a variety of degrees of processing but I have seen worse. Part of the problem might be the photography. Modern collectors might be shocked that every ancient does not start the description with a 'details' grade but I guarantee there are other VCoins dealers whose surfaces are a lot more non-original. By standards of your 1794 cent, ancients would be more akin with coins found by metal detectorists than hose found in drawers or attics. You might enjoy the past Coin Talk discussions about the coins with 'sand patina' or other forms of added enhancements that are way past polishing. I don't see this coin as uncollectable (but I would not have paid the price either). What specifically was done to this coin's surface that you see as making it look fake? Does it show in the photo or did you buy it having seen the photo and thinking it was different?

 

I dont have a problem with the the surfaces of this coin either. As have been already been stated, many coins are coated with various substances to either enhance or protect the coin. Renwax seems to be a group darling. Of course, you could choose to remove it, but I would advise against it. I have seen too many 'horror' coins of before and after.

 

It's a nice looking coin but I'm in agreement with Mr. @dougsmit h. If for some reason you will perpetually be uncertain about it's authenticity—never being really happy with it—then you should either return it for a refund or an exchange if possible.