Frankly, I have little experience with fourree's owning only one example...and that is an RR type with the silver attached and separating revealing the base metal within. This 'bronze' is described as a 18 mm, 2.4 gram Fourree, found in Cyprus. I'd continue with my purchase at the present bid, since even if an absolute fake it's an affordable curiosity. Of course, I lean toward a modern fake, but it seems a decent fake with the Providentia reverse and at the present modest cost a reasonable price for an example of a fake. So, before I raise any bids higher than warrants an interesting modern fake, I'd like any and all feedback from all of you and your recommendations or advice.
Well, my modest bid was just now exceeded....so that coin no longer has my interest as a modern fake. Obviously, others are hoping and thinking they have found a 'bargain'....
I'm confused. The image makes the coin appear as if it were silver, in which case it would be easily spotted as a cast fake. But the auction describes it as a bronze? As in a bronze fouree core, or a limes denarius? I have a reason for asking.
JA, It's an offer on e-Bay and it states a 'fourree silver denarius' of Pertinax...and it appears to be the same one Bing questioned before sometime in the past (Pish's link above)...and below is the auction link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/111782416628 I contacted the seller prior to this thread and told him I thought it was a fake and was only interested in it as a decent modern forgery...but others are already bidding as if it may be otherwise and I am leaving it alone. I haven't heard from them seller as yet.
I read the CCF thread, but I was wondering if the coin was bronze or silver. Bronze can be imaged in such a way as to make it look silver, if the lighting is oblique enough. My general point is that there are some important distinctions to be made when assessing solid and fouree denarii, and bronze or "limes" denarii. An authentic fouree will have sharp, struck features, even if some of the plating has worn off over time. The coins were struck AFTER they were plated (either chemically or mechanically). Fouree cores, however are coins on which ALL the plating has worn off. A bronze fouree core will have soft features like a cast coin, because the bronze would have received a weaker imprint, being under the silver. Here's an example of a fouree core of a denarius of Publius Crepusius. If you didn't know this was a fouree core, you might think the coin was cast, on account of its softness... A bronze, or "limes" denarius will have sharp, struck features because these coins were not plated. Bronze was simply substituted for silver, presumably because of precious metal shortages in various locations at various times. Here is a limes denarius of Julia Domna - a bit crusty, but notice how the details are quite crisp... I realize the OP coin is merely a cast fake, but my point is that softness isn't always an indicator of forgery. Even when you have solid silver, softness can arise from late die states.
I told you in the PM that I missed you on the threads JA---That's a fascinating and instructive analysis... By the way, the seller got back to me and insists it's genuine as listed. But I already have my newest Pertinax from HHC and have little desire to go that route again. At least not until an upgrade sometime next year or so ...
Thanks Mikey. I just had a crazy schedule the last two weeks. Trust me, I would have much rather been here.
If real in that condition the price is about 90% off. 90% off times 0% chance of being real is $0.00 value.
