Appealing Chanukah Shekel

So I did some research:
The six candles on the reverse represent the lighting of the sixth candle of the menorah the menorah itself(or oil lamp)being formed into the coin itself: so cool.

The obverse depicts the soul in the candle, another image of the Chanukah sixth night. I believe the Hebrew translation is he rises again from ashes.

please correct me if I’m incorrect. I don’t claim to know it all, but this is a nice piece of history, in my opinion.

 

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I'm confused. Chanukah is eight nights, not six.
There are nine candles on a menorah. One for each night and the tallest candle called the shamas. That's the first candle lit each night from which each other candle is lit.

 

That's a modern reproduction.

 

So I can be a better collector, could you, if you were open to the idea, explain the points I can look for when buying shekels so I don’t buy a reproduction?

 

The “fabric” of the coin is not right. It’s too smooth and simply doesn’t look like a 2,000 year old coin.

 

In response to the other question, I guess ancient menorahs used depictions of 7 candles, but that still doesn’t explain the sic candles? I wonder if the emphasis was on the soul rising on the obverse?

 

Okay thank you

 

Would you be able to give me some advice?

 

Is this real?

 

The widow's mite is a modern fake.
The Constantine is:

Constantine
AE follis
320-321 AD
Obverse: CONSTANTINVS AVG, laureate head right
Reverse: DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, VOT XX in wreath with star in badge at top of wreath
Mintmark TS Epsilon VI

I don't see anything that screams fake to me. I could be wrong.

 

Looks good to me. Great condition, which could be a concern but it looks authentic to my eye

 

The condition gave me pause as well.

 

@James R : Where did you get the information in your first post? Because, to quote Luke Skywalker: "Every word of that sentence is wrong."

1. As has been pointed out, this is a modern reproduction that was made in large numbers, as it often turns up.
2. A shekel was a silver denomination. The original of this coin is of bronze, and is either a prutah or a lepton (half a prutah). These are often called "Widow's Mites" by modern collectors, due to the reference in Mark 12:41-44. This type was struck by Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 BC), though crude copies may have been struck for long afterwards.
3. The obverse depicts an upside-down anchor with the Greek inscription "Basileos Alexandrou" (Of the King Alexander), somewhat blundered. I have no idea where you got they story about the soul of the Hanukkah candle.
4. The reverse depicts a star. Admittedly, it's hard to tell on this copy, and even on some of the original varieties, but again I have no idea where you got the connection to Hanukkah candles. The original often has a short inscription in Hebrew on the reverse, too, but that is missing from this copy.

For comparison, here's a genuine example of the type:


I hope I don't sound mean or condescending- that is not my intention at all! I welcome anyone who is searching for knowledge, especially about ancient coins . But it seems like you are being exposed to some very incorrect information, and I hope to guide you to better sources of info (with help from our other esteemed members here).

The Constantine coin: It is higher grade than usual for late Roman bronze, but I've certainly seen equally nice genuine coins of the type, and nothing stands out as fake. But if you got this from the same source as the first coin... that would trouble me, as the person either couldn't spot an obvious fake, or didn't make it clear that this was a modern copy; either way, I would be reluctant to buy anything from them.

P.S.: You will probably get lots more useful responses if this thread is moved to the Ancients section in CoinTalk, which only a Moderator can do.

 

May I ask what sources you used for your research? (I have collected and researched these types of coins rather extensively, and have never heard the theory your research led you to express.)

That would take quite a lot of explaining along with multiple images. In view of your current experience with ancient coins, the 2 very best pieces of advice for you are:

1. Buy *only* from well-established dealers or auction houses.

2. Look closely and slowly at a few hundred of the shekels at the link below, (utilizing the enlarged pictures), and then don't consider buying anything that looks different.
https://www.acsearch.info/search.ht...s=1&thesaurus=1&order=0&currency=usd&company=

 

It's not uncommon to find Constantinian coins of very high grade, here are two Crispii that are of the same reverse type, in great shape and 100% genuine.


However, I got these from very well-known individuals who guarantee authenticity.

From a sketchy seller I would be a bit more wary.

 

Posting for an Instagram friend. I cannot figure this one out. If it’s even a coin or some sort of token. Does anyone know what this is?

 

Moderators, please move to the ancients thread if you would be so kind! Thanks

 

All the same modern fake.

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/can-anyone-tell-me-what-this-is.372516/
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/appealing-chanukah-shekel.378059/
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/identify-this-coin.369023/