A few months ago I saw this coin and thought I would check with several CT members to see what they thought. Some said it seemed okay, while others said they were not so sure. After writing the seller and telling him about my reservations, he assured me it was authentic and offered a guarantee of authenticity. I then made an offer substantially less than his asking price. Reluctantly he made a counter-offer which I accepted. I have been hesitant to post, but I have to say the coin looks and feels right in hand. I know some would/will say that buying a coin with some apprehension is a bad idea and that I will always have a nagging feeling about the coin. True, however, the price was such that I am fine with it. And it is not worth having it authenticated by an independent authority. So without further explanation: L CORNELIUS SULLA FELIX ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS CORNELIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Diademed head of Venus right REVERSE: Double cornucopiae; Q below Rome 81 BC 3.77g, 19mm Cr 375/2; Syd 755; Cornelia 33 Your honest comments are appreciated.
Of course, my opinion is always qualified with: 'I've been wrong about half the time'-----but it looks OK to me from the photos and the weight and size...and the style seems appropriate to the type. I know these can be a bit pricey so I can understand the seller's reluctance to counter-offer at less than listed (whatever that was) .... if you snagged it at your price CONGRATS!!! I like it and I would have gone after it if I noticed it first
Hmm, tough call. It would be nice to find a die match for either side. It would probably be easier to look for reverse matches since there are more features to compare. Crawford cites "<11" reverse dies but I don't know if more have since been found. I don't see a match in CNG's archives but I haven't looked for one in other places. Your coin's fabric looks convincing enough but that's just one factor to consider.
There are several on acsearch that could be a die match, but I am terrible at comparing dies. And you're correct. The fabric looks and feels right to me.
it really does look quite a bit like carthago's second pic, i think you're good bing...for what my opinions worth (not much).
