Tacitus Real or Fake?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by John Hulgin, Apr 7, 2021.

  1. John Hulgin

    John Hulgin JHULGIN

    This coin does throw up a lot of flags. Thanks to all the help I am getting. I found similar reverse on gold aureaus coins, and similar obverse on silvered Antoninianus coins, but no silver coins, and nothing with same obv&rev. Please let me know what you think?

    dimensions: 22mm ~ 4.2 grams ~ 92% AG ~ 7% CU (XRF +-2%)
    IMG_18300.jpg IMG_18301.jpg
     
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  3. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Another bummer. Sorry. Where are you getting these coins from?
     
  4. John Hulgin

    John Hulgin JHULGIN

    This is a collection that was purchased over a decade ago. There were lots of nice coins(graded, gold, etc), and lots of fakes (some even nice fakes Ready). Over the years I have been sifting through them, and trying to weed out the bad. It is very time consuming and slow process, and this forum has helped me much in learning more and saving grading fees.
     
  5. seth77

    seth77 Well-Known Member

    This is a cast after an aureus of Tacitus rather than an antoninianus. Take a look here at the blueprint. Someone some time had access to that coin and made a casting mold for your coin.
     
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  6. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    J.H. Where are you finding all these fakes o_O? Are you doing this to test CT members ?
     
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  7. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Show some you think are genuine. It might be educational and allow the whole bunch to be condemned. Many old collections have an easy clue to authenticity. If a coin looks especially desirable, it is most likely fake.
     
  8. John Hulgin

    John Hulgin JHULGIN

    This is a collection that was purchased over a decade ago. There were lots of nice coins(graded, gold, etc), and lots of fakes (some even nice fakes Ready). Over the years I have been sifting through them, and trying to weed out the bad and grading the good. I have found some good coins, but many are not. It is very time consuming and slow process, and this forum has helped me much in learning more and saving grading fees.
     
  9. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    That silver content for one seems MUCH too high for a later antoninianus.
     
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  10. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    If it looks too good to be true....
     
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  11. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    That very fact shows it's a fake.
     
  12. RichardT

    RichardT Well-Known Member

    Not really. The surfaces of these coins have enriched silver. XRF measures the surface silver content, not the core. So, silver purity is not much use in determining authenticity in such coins.

    Silver purity would only be useful if the whole coin was melted and tested.
     
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  13. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    Interesting! Never knew that about XRF.
     
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  14. romismatist

    romismatist Well-Known Member

    The Tacitus antoninianii I have seen are typically silvered. The coin in the picture looks more like it is solid silver rather than a silver wash, which is out of character for this period. The comment that this coin is modeled after an aureus also makes sense, as I haven't seen this type as an antoninianus before. Still, from a style point of view it may have fooled me, if the visible silver quality of the coin didn't give it away. Pity, it does look like a nice coin.

    Unlike some of the other CT members, I'm not too bothered about seeing a few of John's "real or fake" coins daily. It's a fun way to keep me on my toes. Still, it would be nice to see a few more of the real ones from the collection to feel better about your purchase all those decades ago :)
     
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  15. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    I agree, some real ones would be nice, since it seems like John bought several dozen coins ranging from melt value fakes to 4-5 figure coins.
     
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