Last Thursday I won the Byzantine gold Histamenon Nomisma, pictured below, from Roma E-Sale 63, lot 1134. Friday morning I took a closer look at the photo, full screen, on my computer and saw details I didn't like; soft smudgy lettering, and an almost baroque rendition of Christ's head. I found a number of illustrations of that coin type from Coin Archives and Wild Winds and my suspicions were confirmed. I then went on Forgery Network & found two illustrations of fakes that are strikingly similar to the coin I just won, pictured below the Roma lot 1134. Next I sent an e-mail to Richard Beale, expressing my concern along with the two photos from Forgery Network. He wrote back to me stating "Dear Al, That's not good. I will check the coin carefully on Monday and let you know. All the best Richard." I received an e-mail today at 1:00 pm from Roma Numismatics saying the coin has been shipped FEDEX ! I welcome all comments from CT members on this coin. Romanus III Argyrus, AD 1028-1034, Constantinople Mint: AV Histamenon Nomisma, 22 mm, 4.47 gm, 6 h. Sear 1820 Example of a fake Sear 1820, from Forgery Network. Another example of a fake Sear 1820, from Forgery Network.
I haven't received the coin yet (it was sent from London) & have no intention of signing for it when FEDEX rings to doorbell.
I am no expert, but (to my eyes) the detail on the second example of a Fake Sear 1820 that you show is almost an exact copy of your purchase.
Did you pay for it already?! That's an unusually fast dispatching for their standards. I bet that the shipping dept was overzealous and Rich didn't instruct them to hold the shipment probably because he didn't think that you would pay. Don't worry he is a reasonable person and you will sort it out
I just received an e-mail from Richard Beale, & he agrees with me that the coin in question is a modern struck FAKE, & is canceling the sale of Lot 1134 . The coin undoubtedly fits into a family of fakes recorded by Forgery Network. Hey, even the experts can get duped on these high quality fakes !