Though not an expert, I don't feel personally that this Athenian Owl tetradrachm is quite wrong. The weight is plausible at 16.85 g. The general wear is also acceptable. And since there are so many models, it could be genuine. I could feel that the struck silver is very likely ancient. The price I was given was extremely affordable, with right to return the coin. I don't know. Please try to guess , if you can . I managed to shoot with my iPhone, as good as I could. Thanks..
Could be an imitation issue? These coins were minted all around the ancient world, which is why I leave it to the experts to decide what's what. There were just too many of them minted all over the place. Good luck!
Unusual to get that much crest and nose. When you get it it hand, check the surface for pearls or pits. It looks very dirty, I would be concerned about what it could be hiding. Is there something between the back of the owl and berry?
The style is odd, this type of coin has many fakes, and I'm leery of it. Have you checked the various fakes databases for a match?
Between the back and the berry, there's wear and a small pearl. I can clean the coin to make it fully white, but I abstained. I didn't check the fakes databases. Now thank you very much. I shall return the coin on Monday. Cheers. I do appreciate your sincere collaboration, as usual. All of you coin- friends.
That would be the very first thing I would do (after checking for the obvious signs like a seam), especially with a coin like this.
My "gut reaction" to the image: BBBAAAADDDDDDdddddd! And I make no claim to be an ancient coin expert!
Stylistically it looks a bit like a "Pi" style owl minted circa 353 -290 B.C. However I have very strong reservations about it being authentic. Generally I don't like making such calls using just a photograph but there are too many things with this coin that bother me.
This is a clear fake from modern dies, send it back asap if you have the option to do so. Apart from the style, see how sharp is the contour of the edge above the owl's head. It has fake dirt on it, and please post if possible a photo of the edge in the area of the big crack. I don't know how much you paid but with the current downfall you can get a very decent one with 500-600$ from any well known dealer
You are really confused. I am no expert. I do not like the coin even one little bit but I am not certain of anything anymore and I am not the person to ask. I have not taken the time to seek a match online.
