Hello, I have a friend that wants to get an inexpensive putah. Where is a good place to get an authentic one? Thanks
How trustworthy are the sellers? I know so little about the coins, I want to be extra vigilant. I had looked up a review of Zurqieh, which listed him as not trustworthy. Who looks to have half of the prutahs.
I got mine in May at forumancientcoins.com $14 Prutah, Herod Agrippa, canopy-barley, Jerusalem mint, year 6 = 41 - 42 AD Reference: Hendin 1244; Meshorer TJC 120; RPC I 4981 2.199 g, 17.3 mm, die axis 0o I know, it is porous, a little off center, tight flan, but I am very happy with this piece of history
Chances are slim (although not 0) that someone would sell a fake $5 coin. If you're looking for something in the $5-10 range, even eBay would probably be safe. I think the prutah of Alexander Jannaeus is probably the most common. You can find many of these for under $10.
They are pretty common but very collectible due to the story of the widow in the bible. You should be able to find a good one for $10-$20.
I recall - many years since - an assistant at my print shop asked about coins in general, and a "widows mite" in particular. I said I had a bunch in the car if she wanted one, (they would have been a couple of pounds each at the time). So I went and got one and took it back. But did not get a sale. Turned out it was too small..........................
Zurqieh has a reputation for artificially applied patinas, but not fakes, to my knowledge. I bought one inexpensive coin from them (yes, sandy patina), but it was at a fair price and I liked it (though I was blissfully unaware about fake patina at the time).
