Byzantine GOLD Solidus PHOCAS?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by fretboard, Mar 3, 2021.

  1. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Just wondering how much gold is in one of these coins itself and would it be made of solid gold, 50% or what? I'm not in the market to buy but I hope to be some day. I'd love to own one, not a pendant like this one but it's just the one I chose to ask about. :shame: My guess is there's a lot to learn about a Byzantine GOLD Solidus PHOCAS coins. Here's a pic and the link!

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Byzantine-...a=1&pg=2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042

    gold101.jpg gold102.jpg
     
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  3. RichardT

    RichardT Well-Known Member

    Weight of the solidus alone should be about 4.5 grams theoretically. In reality it should be about 4.3 to 4.4 grams.

    Purity depends on whose perspective you use. By ancient standards it would be as pure as they could refine it, close to 99%. By modern standards it would be about 96% fine.
     
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  4. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Very impressive! Prices are crazy expensive for these right now. I'll have to wait until gold prices go downward for sure! ~Cheers! :D
     
  5. tibor

    tibor Supporter! Supporter

    From the pictures available, can someone from the forum speak
    to whether or not the coin is genuine? I have no opinion, but I
    am curious. If not, what is the reason for the prognosis.
     
  6. arnoldoe

    arnoldoe Well-Known Member

    well even if real, its still about 3x overpriced..
     
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  7. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Yes, that's pretty common on feebay and it's not only with ancients at all. Research is mandatory when buying gold. :happy:
     
  8. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Based on what is visible, I think the coin appears genuine. However, to be really sure the coin would have to be weighed and more closely scrutinized. The style seems consistent with other Phocas solidi that I've seen.
     
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  9. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    If you live in the US, you should check the Byzantine section of CNG's eAuctions to get some idea of what Byzantine gold solidi (like the one in the OP) typically sell for.

    Phocas was quite a jerk, a real loser, and there's no premium attached to his solidi, so if you're going to buy one just to have an example, his would be about as inexpensive as they come.
     
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  10. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    That looks like a legitimate solidus that would sell close to melting value; about 250$.
    Here is another one, in somewhat better quality:

    Phocas solidus.jpg
     
  11. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    High grade examples of Phocas solidi can fetch up to $900.00 at auction, & the purity of his gold coinage is about 98%. Examples with wear in the Ex F - AU grade can be had for $400-500. The mounted coin has a very strange pebbly surface, as if it was heated by a jeweler & I would stay far away from it :smuggrin:. Most of the coins used in jewelry have something wrong with them or they're imitations. The coin pictured below cost me $660.00 at auction, including buyers premium.
    NGC 4280854-003.jpg
     
  12. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Great information, stuff like this makes me research more! ~Cheers! ;)
     
  13. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

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  14. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Yeah, quite a write up for sure! ;) There's quite a few gold Jesus Christ ancients I never knew anything about until yesterday when I looked into it. What makes it really cool is when the coin world opens back up in California and I go to a coin show, I can go check out the ancient tables and I won't feel so lost! thumbsup.gif
     
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