Considering the topic of the most recent Paduan (or re-cast of), what is the opinion on such coins? Do they fulfill a purpose, are they insidious, evil, etc? Consider this below: A copy of a Marcus Aurelius sestertius. But not just a copy a medal; its 63mm and 126.07 grams. Lightly patinated and shellacked (and marked on the edge, 237 of 500 issued) it wont fool most (I hope). But it is in a way a fake. I love the thing. It came with an auction catalog copy (part of), "Edition du Club francais de la Medaille, CFR 847...Catalog General Illustre de la Monnaie de Paris, Vol. 6, p.33" No idea as to the age as I have no time to research it. I just know it is awesome. So, the question remains....are fakes (either old or not) OK? Marked or not? Oversized or not? Many things to consider with this, but I do happen to think copies and or fakes have their places (though fully disclosed and certainly not at the prices of genuine examples).
I'm never a fan of "fakes/reproductions" => oh, but if they happen to be fakes from "famous" fakers then they have a certain appeal, eh? ... however, I've never broken-down and bought one, but yah, I must admit that there have been a few that looked kinda cool ...
Actually, yes. Paduan, Giovanni, British Museum, Slavei, they all add to value and many have collected them by that theme. Anyway, a Cheech fan? You must know what E.T. stands for???
I think original struck Cavino medals, so-called "Paduans," are legitimately and unambiguously collectible as Renaissance medals. I don't think they should really be described as fakes at all. Recast Paduans however, even very early ones from perhaps the 17th or 18th century, are indeed fakes with no more value than an early cast of a sestertius.
Although I can understand the appeal of replicas (to some of us) at nominal prices that reflect their lack of antiquity, I find they lack much appeal for me. I Love what you posted and that Paduan replica is certainly beautiful, but I find the one Tet I purchased as an electroplate copy (British Museum) to be all I would purchase for the indefinite future. The original of the one I will post would have exceeded my usual monthly budget by a thousand or so....
it's pretty cool really. there are some neat medals and that get posted on some of the forums here, they're as collectible as anything else. here's a copy/replica i purchased at a coin show for a buck. here's a tourist/fantasy byzantine piece that came in a lot of uncleaned coins.. neither one of these get to hang out with my ancients, they have to live in my junk drawer.
I remember this one well. It was a Readers Digest mail promotion. I think they mailed millions of them. I still see them on occasion.
Unless it's a fouree or a barbarous imitation created in antiquity, I don't collect fakes. Some of the Becker fakes are very realistic and interesting.
