HI... Ive found this ancient coin. I need some help to find what kind, how old as well as the value/cost of this rare coin. I've done my research and I can't find it but have some similarities with macedonian coins, but is difficult to say. Some details are: It has two human faces at the anverse what looks like a lizard with letters around at the reverse, it is not-magnetic and is the size of a US dime. Please give a brief explanation of your answer/opinion, it is very appreciated. Thanks!!
It is a Nabatean type (the reverse is two cornucopiae, crossed) of Aretas IV. In spite of the fact they are inexpensive if genuine, this one appears to be a cast fake.
It does indeed look like a cast fake, which is curious as these are the most common of Nabataean issues. Who would bother faking them when they're a dime-a-dozen?
Perhaps the older brothers of the cute kids selling them to tourists who visit the ruins??? In quantity and given the tools available in a school shop class, you might be able to make these literally for a dime a dozen so selling them for a dollar would be a windfall profit. My wife collects bells. One she has was made in Korea in the early 1950's using shell casings which we left all over the place. Metal suitable for industry on this level is not hard to find in some places.
The edge is too dark to really see any additional details but as others have agreed, it appears to be a modern cast replica with no value.
Welcome to the Ancients Forum @Lobo21 ! Authentic Nabataean coins can be had for a low cost relatively speaking. They would make a great ancients starter collection for one who is new to collecting ancients. If you're interested, I'll pm to you a list of my favorite and trusted dealers in coins of the fascinating Nabataean Kingdom المملكة النبطية.
A search of vcoins under "Aretas IV" turns up some examples that good, but genuine, for about $10 (and that is retail pricing).
The votes on this thread are a good example of why one can't always trust polls. Some responders "mess with you". There are probably more jokers who would respond that the earth is flat than there are who actually believe it. As of the moment I write, we have two choosing over "$10,000." I appreciate their sense of humor. Remember this when you read the results of national polls.
Aside from Doug's explanation, fakes like this one are often salted into large groups of genuine coins to make the lot appear more valuable. It happens all the time. One would not think it, but common stuff like this and late Roman are frequently cast and tossed into hoards. Often times prospective buyers have little time to go through a big lot of coins, and when they see what might be a few dozen EF or whatever, it can make them buy the group.
