Hello, I got confused with this ancient coin, it came indirectly from a private collection, no further information received. This is a silver like metal or silver coin, probably from Myrina, on avers side double portrait and the reverse represents a woman, a nominal (probably 1 drachma) and a name "MYRINAI.." I unsuccessfully tried to find some right links on the web but these with double portrait looking to West aren't among majority. I put some photos to help for investigation. There is no casting seam present on this coin at least for today, it is more like a reflex of light in the photo but there are plenty of smaller or bigger holes on surface. A reverse is turned approx. 30 degrees. Thanks for any thoughts in advance.
I am not familiar with this issue at all and I've never seen anything to compare, but something doesn't look right to me. On the fourth image where you show the rim, there is what appears to be a seam or am I seeing things? Please don't take what I say to the bank as I am very uncertain about this conclusion.
The reverse seems to have many tiny bubbles in the surface, probably from the casting process. It does not look genuine to me.
Casting bubbles are the giveaway here. Also, the coin its trying to copy I believe faces right, not left. A common mistake for those making tourist fakes. They forget when looking at the form it should be a mirror image of the finished coin.
Firs of all, many thanks for so prompt reaction and key thoughts, that's great. I feel suspicious on this coin too... but feel armless to determinate something for now. Well, actually there's no real seam on the rim it is a light reflex on the metal seen in the photo if we talk about the same thing (a minus for my photo skills another thing if the original coin was facing to the East, the molding had had the opposite direction, but the casted copy the same as the original. I don't know the technical specification of they use doing such things I just tried it practically with a usual circulation coin. Anyway is it a copy or not it is interesting to know what it is representing, which period of the ancient world or which coin concretely?
First, they simply filed down the seam. Very common practice. Second, this coin appears to be imitating a coin from one of Alexander's generals, namely either Seleucis or Ptolemy. So the period would be around 320-280BC in my estimation sir.
Thank you, Medoraman, now it's closer to the goal, I still keep searching for the very prototype to compare with and estimate the level of copiers skills as well.
It's a complete fantasy. The reverse reads MYPINAIΩN, but that type - Apollo Delphios - does not occur at that city. Furthermore, the obverse is very loosely copied from tetradrachy of Ptolemy IV bearing busts of Serapis and Isis. You will never find a single prototype because it doesn't exist.
I thought the edge looked filed too and after seeing lots of ancients here, I feel this coin looks too crude. I'm not an ancient coin collector, but I do have 14 in my collection.
welcome, sefoan ... => man, that's too bad that your first coin seems to be a bit of a dawg ... hopefully this minor set-back won't make you give-up on ancients (we've all been there, my friend) ...
I'm very grateful for that support you all gave to me, thanks. I'm fresh in ancient coin world and don't feel bad about that coin to appear just a copy as it came with others in a lot. That was a non professional collection set I obtained but quite contrasting and dated from the 70's to early 80's. I agree this fake is a fantasy... as it's prototype doesn't exist at all. I think to stay it as a sample of improvised counterfeiting. There is another small ancient silver coin in that lot but seems to be an original one. I place photos for an interest.
No, this one. Opus. The 1/4 stater (mine is 2.4g) is less impressive. The photo is nowhere near good enough to say that the coin is genuine but it is similarly not alone able to condemn it as was the first one. Fakes often hang around together so this one needs to be shown in person to someone with experience in the series.
The coin body is slightly bent to avers, there is a clear trace of shear left on the bottom-right edge of Ajax side and no casting bubbles. This seems to be minted at least.
