Recently a guy came to the forgerylist complaining that he bought a coin that had been reconstructed using plastic. Here are the images: Here is what he bought (not cheap mind you but of course the coin is in great shape!! Here is what he was left with after a soak in acetone Apparently this coin of Geta was given a similar treatment: http://www.numismatikforum.de/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=35424 In one soak a very expensive coin turned into a not so expensive coin for the unsuspecting buyer. It seems this is not that terribly rare. Seems easier to do an make it look convincing than to retool.
I agree, one is a bit torn sometimes when it comes to fakery because often the fakes or the work that went into them are quite impressive. Makes one think 'If only they used that talent to just make their own coins and not try to swindle collectors'. Then again I would think a lovely Hadrian like the one above (re-formed) probably brings in a lot more money than any original coin the person would make and try to sell.
The skill is excellent, and I am sure that many others were made to get to this level. It is interesting that acetone dissolved the plastic that well, and also ( after the fact 0f course), the before patina had a glossy almost "wet" gleem that the original does not have, so I wonder if a surface coat was applied last to mask any color differences. Thanks for showing! Jim
Acetone can me a bit unforgiving with it,s misuse here, Maybe the Coin just had a bad reaction, it sure fell apart
I am pretty sure a coat of artificial patina was applied to even it out. I am also certain acetone did not harm the coin itself but whatever was used to 'rebuild' it.
This topic is being debated in the german ancients forum as the coins shown were apparently bought at the Numismata in Muenchen in 2009. This is a very deceiving practice, in my opinion just short of selling complete forgeries. Some people seem to have specialized in this "art", and whoever is doing this appears to be highly skilled. A variety of materials appear to be in use, including plastic resins which harden with U.V irradiation, and also simple materials like hard waxes. I also had the opportunity to make acquantaince with this dishonest practice some years ago, with this sestertius of Drusus. See the "before" pictures, and the "after" picture after a short bath in acetone. Note how the acetone revealed deep pits at the truncation of the neck, and also in the field before the seated figure of Claudius, which had been filled with wax with the intention to deceive the buyer (me). Buyer beware, the work is done so skillfully, that it may become necessary to bring along a small bottle of acetone to a show, if you intend to buy ancient bronze coins...... These are the "before" pictures:
Dental plastic can be colored and is UV hardened ( and very hard compared to many plastics), and might well be the material. It would probably work on silver if the coin was toned a little already. Thanks Eduard for the additional photo. Jim
