Attempting to imitate drachms of Lysimachus (Thompson 118), these coins were made as reproductions by Slavey Petrov. They have subsequently been doctored to appear more genuine and multiple examples have been sold as genuine at auctions. Published in Modern Forgeries of Greek & Roman Coins, Prokopov 1997. Obv plate 35, Rev Plate 33. Dara E-Auction 3, Lot 1039 Dara E-Auction 3, Lot 1040 Links: https://www.biddr.com/auctions/daramuseum/browse?a=2065&l=2275583 https://www.biddr.com/auctions/daramuseum/browse?a=2065&l=2275584 Both coins have been reported to the auction house.
It's hard to imagine anyone would be fooled by a Slavey Petrov replica unless they are virgin to the hobby. Slavey's coins are not counterfeits, they are style-copy replicas not meant to fool anyone unless they have been altered. He is a talented engraver with a unique style, nearly all his coins are signed, & his coins are pressed, not struck. I bought the Slavey replica pictured below over 10 years ago. Slavey Petrov off-metal (gold) replica of a Troas-Tenedos tetradrachm originally struck in silver. This replica was made in his German workshop about 20 years ago. AV Tetradrachm: 19.89 gm, 35 mm, 12 h. Obverse: Janiform head of Zeus & Hera. Reverse: Double headed axe, monogram & clump of grapes in left field, monogram & image of Artemis with stag in right field, all contained within a wreath. There is a micro signature near the wreath between the 9:00/10:00 o'clock position.
Agreed! They're fun but not really something I'm interested in collecting personally. The Slavey style is quite distinctive as you say but these doctored coins do slip in from time to time, even at some of the bigger auction houses. Picture from his store on Etsy.
I’ve seen that exact coin come up in an auction within the last month or two.. and now I can’t find the listing.
https://www.biddr.com/auctions/numismatiknaumann/browse?a=1979&l=2168975 last Naumann auction We discussed the coin in the German forum Nevertheless sold for 1.700 Euro Problem as I see it: The number of normal coins flowing the market doesn’t cope with qualified cataloguers
Surprisingly the Naumann listing says Ex Hirsch 264, 164.. so this coin got through not 1 but 2 respectable auction houses?
Woah! I missed this one completely. That is atrocious.. However I'm certain Naumann has/will refund the buyer.
Thanks for information zadie. In past we have discussion about this crook artist: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/slavey-petrov-discussion.337496/