He has 3 feedback, 2 feedback are for other Saxon coins. I would consider having a bid on this if it was genuine but it doesn't look right to me? Ashmore copies have made me so paranoid about these pennies.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANGLO-SAX...5522806?pt=UK_Antiquities&hash=item416f9e5976 Whats your opinion?
That's definitely not an Ashmore copy. They tend to have lettering which is too finely cut, and stylistic deviations. Never seen one in this sort of damaged condition. I agree that 3 feedback and Estonia is not a great combination, but I can't see anything about the coin which makes me suspicious. Have you considered going to look at some trays of Cnut pennies at the Ashmolean or the British Museum ? You'll quickly get a sense of what looks "right" from seeing hundreds of examples, and from my experience it is generally easy to get access.
The ashmolean is 2 minutes from my house, I have not been there in years so its an idea! People can obviously damage coins on purpose to make you think they must be genuine too. Thanks for the info.
You can e-mail the Heberden coin room to book a visit to the study room - http://www.ashmolean.org/departments/heberdencoinroom/services/. I've never looked at the collection of Anglo-Saxon coins there but it's the second largest coin collection in the UK so it should be very good. Otherwise, there are probably one or two coins of Cnut on display in the coin gallery of the museum. Of course, although the light environmental damage that coin has been subjected to would probably be difficult to fake. I personally do not buy expensive (£100+) hammered coins without having actually handled the specimen, but deceptive forgeries are very rare.
I don't think Ebay feedback is that useful for trying to determine ancient and medieval fakes. Those who know enough about those coin types to tell if something's authentic won't bid in the first place a coin's likely fake, so feedback often only comes from those who wouldn't know.
Thankyou very much for the information. I did not know they did that, I am definitely going to look into this now!
I agree but I think it makes the chances a lot less if someone consistently sells the same type of item with positive feedback.
