AR tetradrachm coin... Real or not a and how rare?

Hi... I was given these by my grandmother and I was not sure if there were real. Also I did a search on the net and could not find where under the chair it said
ΔIO.

What do you think? Real? and if so what value?

Thanks for any help.

 

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Can you give us the diameter and weight in grams?

 

Hmm, I'm not sure what to think about this coin's authenticity but am leaning toward inauthentic.

The tiny pits covering the obverse are worrisome (casting bubbles in the investment?) although not in themselves enough to condemn the coin because some coins can look this way after being in the ground for centuries.

The style looks off, particularly the reverse.

If authentic, the coin was struck in Memphis. However, all other examples I've found show the ΔIO monogram as split, with the ΔI below the throne and the O to the right of the throne's back leg. None of the archive coins have BAΣIΛEΩΣ below the throne. Also, other examples I've found show Zeus with crossed legs.

Here are some examples of Alexander III tetradrachms struck in Memphis:

CNG's archives

ACsearch

 

Size is roughly 26mm and weight is 19 grams...

I did find this:

at http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/macedonia/kings/alexander_III/t.html

These have BAΣIΛEΩΣ below the throne in multiple examples...

 

Size and weight seem about right. Notice the ring of dots on the reverses of the sample coins. I can't see any dots on yours, even though there is enough room on the flan for dots on the obverse. That, plus the difference in style, suggests that yours is a souvenir piece.

 

Not genuine

 

I lean towards the coin not being genuine

 

Unfortunately I think it's a 'fake' too.....The 'bubbles', overall style and soft details seem to guarantee it. Check the edge for a seam.

 

looks like a replica

 

Thanks for the help. I will toss it out....

 

It's way too pretty ... and the coin-fabric just ain't right, know what I mean?

=> sadly, my vote is "fail" ... but it's a cool fake though (if it's real, then congrats to Granny)

 

coinsize is OK ,but the weight is 2 gram over the normal weight of 16/ 17 gram, which gives it away as a fake, it looks fake too in the pictures, the shape of the outer rim is bizar and the colour looks artificial. * TIF means that tetradrachms from the Memphis mint lack the BASILEOS in the exergue.
Wonder where your grandmother got this coin ?

 

19 grams is too much. It is a fake.

 

See if it will leave a mark if you rub the edge on a piece of white paper. Silver coins will not leave a mark. Various other alloys like those containing lead will.

Keep it as a nice reproduction.

 

Looks like an Alexander Ceylon style


mixed with a touch of Gangnam style

 

My grandmother could have picked these up like 30-40 years ago in the shops below the Acropolis...

She also got these as well which I would assume to be repo's as well:
Sorry for the poor photos...

 

Sorry to tell you, but it is illegal to sell real ancient coins in Greece, not sure when that law was passed though. All of the above are tourist copies.

 

Bad, Bad, Bad!

 

Sorry, what @David@PCC said