Athenian Owl - good or bad ?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Jacob Winther, Mar 8, 2021.

  1. Jacob Winther

    Jacob Winther Member

    Dear Scholars

    I recently took a chance on a very cheep Owl from an estate sale (50$).
    After looking extensively on the net, I'm still not entirely sure if it's good or bad.
    The coin is 16-17 gr., 24-26 mm. diameter.
    There are no casting lines or filemarks on the edge, the details are quite good and the overall feel of the coin seems OK.
    My major issues with the coin are a few small blisters, possibly castbobbles.
    One above the eye, and one in front of the forehead. Also there seems to be a small cut from the lower right part of the neck towards the edge.
    Lastly, I havn't seen that many owls with their tails pointing almost straight down.
    I'm 85 % sure it's a fake, but I would very much appreciate your input.

    Yours
    Jacob / Copenhagen
     

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  3. RichardT

    RichardT Well-Known Member

    Likely fake, sorry. Reverse doesn't look like it was struck.
     
  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Better than your average tourist fake, at any rate, but that's all I can say. Doesn't quite look right to me, but I'm not experienced enough to render judgment, since it's at least not as bad as the worst fakes out there.
     
  5. norantyki

    norantyki CoinMuncher

    It is a fake, a good cast one, likely with some age. You can actually just make out the casting line along the edge...
     
  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    If it's fake, it probably would have fooled me on first glance.
    It looks like there are flow lines to my old eyes.
     
  7. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    The what look like casting bubbles on the face are what makes me think fake.
     
  8. pprp

    pprp Well-Known Member

  9. Jacob Winther

    Jacob Winther Member

    Dear Sirs

    Thank you so much for your forthcoming input.
    I've learned a lot,- thankfully at a small price, and I now have a piece in the "black cabinet". Perhaps I'll use as a pocket-piece to remind me of the perils in life :)

    Yours
    Jacob / Copenhagen
     
  10. Jacob Winther

    Jacob Winther Member

    kountryken likes this.
  11. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    THIS is the type of piece that should be turned into jewelry. It would make a nice pendant.
     
    Roman Collector likes this.
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