Fake or Authentic Solidus of Tiberius Constantine?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Magnus Maximus, Nov 25, 2016.

  1. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    Hi guys,
    I came across this coin recently and was thinking about buying it, but want to make sure it's legit.
    Coin weighs 4.48 grams
    Diameter is 23mm
    s-l1600[2].jpg


    s-l1600[3].jpg

    So what do you guys think: a winner or a dud?
     
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  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Looks OK to me.
     
    Magnus Maximus likes this.
  4. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    FYI I am going by the flow lines around the letters. There is good fakes.
     
  6. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I do not like the texture but the weight suggests it is gold and not painted bronze. That makes it a coin I would not buy not because I think it is fake but because I don't like the look of it.
     
  7. GregH

    GregH Well-Known Member

    Don't like the texture but the style looks right.
     
  8. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    It's gold! Need I say more?
     
  9. ValiantKnight

    ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

    I remember seeing this same coin while browsing also, and thinking the surface texture made it look like one of those gold-wrapped chocolate coins, but that the style looked ok. It probably is authentic, perhaps over-polished and photographed in rather bad lighting. But I agree with the others, not a fan of the texture, and even though it looks authentic and I bought it, I'd still have that lingering doubt that would bother me.
     
  10. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    The weight is right. The style is fine and that type of uneven strike (e.g. the flat obverse rim from 3:00-6:00) is common. However, the obverse fields are unusually uneven. Most Byzantine gold has even fields. Search your favorite site for "solidus" and see how even the fields usually are. I'd pass on it, without claiming it is false.
     
  11. Magnus Maximus

    Magnus Maximus Dulce et Decorum est....

    Thanks for your responses, everyone. I'll pass on it; if I am going to spend that kind of money on a coin then I at least want to be certain that its' authentic.
    Cheers!
     
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