Need help authentication

Recently purchased this pantikapaion coin, need help authenticating it, thank you

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Are you looking for an attribution (reference in a catalog or museum collection) or an opinion about whether it's genuine or not?

What's its diameter in millimeters and how much does it weigh in grams?

 

Asking if it's real, it is 27 mm , 14.31 grams

 

And an

and an attribution if possible, would that be the history of it?

 

I bought it for 350 bucks. How much do you think it's worth?

 

To estimate its worth you will need to see the sales prices of the same type of coin in similar condition. Here are some links which will help:

CNG's archives
ACsearch (have to have a paid subscription to see the prices realized)

Vcoins (for current "retail" offerings)

 

Go to ACSEARCH.INFO and search for Anokhin 1022 - you will find many comparable examples. Looks authentic to me.

 

Looks Real Don't know the price

 

What does the edge look like? Is there a seam?

 

Yes looks like there's a seam, is that bad?

 

That often indicates a cast copy (forgery). The seam arises where the two molds come together.

 

In the first picture you posted you can see what appears to be a seam at 2 o'clock. I think those are also casting bubbles near the tip of the beard on the obverse. The last two pictures you posted lead me strongly to suspect that the coin is a modern forgery. Sorry @Kristos I wish it wasn't so. Hopefully you can return it.

 

As I said in the other thread, I have my doubts because of the seam.

 

Unfortunately it is false.

 

I would have to agree after seeing the seam. Many of many of the ACSEARCH examples have a similar rolled bit that has been hammered down on the edge, but in this case the seam goes across the rolled bit. That is very unsettling.

 

So this coin is fake?

 

As I mentioned earlier, this coin is "false" which means fake. In this case a modern production. It has only a nominal value to someone collecting fakes. You should definitely return it, but your chances of obtaining a refund are slim. If you purchased it on ebay from a seller that makes his living selling fakes you might have a chance. These people don't want to jeopardize their livelihood over one sale. Did the seller mention a return policy? As others have mentioned, unless you are an expert, you should only purchase ancient coins from an established dealer such as those on Vcoins.

 

Well, I posted in another thread on this coin explaining the seam. I am a VCoins dealer and have 30 years in the business. I dont see it as fake at all, at least not from the photos. No, he didnt buy it from me, so my opinion is not suspect in that manner. However, VCoins does have a Code of Ethics in which we are all bound to. Item 10 on the list:

"I will vouch for the authenticity of items I sell and will have no time limit on the return of items discovered to be non-authentic. I will offer a full cash refund upon return of any such item, including the cost of return shipping."

If you have reservations on the coin, you can send it to David Sear (I think he charges around $30). Few dealers would disagree with him (though some have). I realize the Ethics clause has pitfalls and problems, but honestly if you got the opinion of any recognizable dealer, it would be accepted.

 

It's perfectly genuine.

Barry Murphy

 

I think the current rate for Sear (as of 1/13/2017) is $45 for basic and $55 for detailed. Considering the cost the OP paid relative to the authentication cost I think you make an excellent suggestion.

I also think this goes to show how important it is to research the specific peculiarities (in the cases a possible seam) of a series before spending a decent amount of money on it. Let us know if you decide to send it in for authentication @Kristos I will be interested to see what you find out