Athens Drachm Opinions?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by John Hulgin, Apr 2, 2021.

  1. romismatist

    romismatist Well-Known Member

    I would echo several others on this post and would give my initial assessment as genuine, albeit with a corroded and worn obverse, and a rather curious style (which should not immediately condemn it as a fake, as this coinage was imitated contemporarily in Arabia and likely elsewhere). From the reverse picture it seems like the metal is ancient - there are no casting bubbles and the coin looks struck rather than pressed. However, I will defer to the real experts - there are a few members of this forum who collect Athens as a specialty - who would be able to better weigh in here.
     
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  3. John Hulgin

    John Hulgin JHULGIN

    silver lead &
    It looks like there is almost 3% lead and traces of cu The XRF has a +- 2% reading
     
  4. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    For what is worth, here's a drachm that's in the mail.

    This coin demonstrates the wide variation that can be encountered with this type. I actually think it is an imitation, probably somewhere in the ancient Levant.

    4.2 grams, with earthen deposits

    Athens probably Philista drachm imitation 4.2 grams.jpg
     
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  5. pprp

    pprp Well-Known Member

    I don't see anything suspicious. Drachms are usually porous, however, I can't recall ever seeing pitting, but that's perhaps because such examples might not make it to the auctions I follow. The owl looks strange because of a die shift resulting in what you see. The style is actually quite nice but it looks crude because of the problematic strike. I think it could be a die match or at least pretty close to this one:

    Drachm.jpg
     
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  6. pprp

    pprp Well-Known Member

    IMHO the best result you could hope to get is VF strike 3/5 surface 2/5, and in terms of value the coin is below 200$ so I don't think grading would offer you anything advantageous
     
  7. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    That's a really beautiful coin, definitely a cut or two above what is normally encountered.

    Did your coin come out of an auction?
     
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