Ancients...A Question I Dare To Ask.

Real or fake, these two?

I expect harsh treatment for asking. Please answer...with extreme prejudice!

 

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Bad photos, Nero looks fake from the "Toronto Group forgery" and the other I am indifferent with.

 

I am not a fan of the Mark Antony legionary denarius. Both sides were dotted borders, but look at the "edge" there appears to be on it. If real, that is a pretty spectacular condition Antony. If anyone is interested I can explain why most of these are found extremely worn, to the point of being unreadable.

Btw, why be afraid of asking? No one learns if they don't ask questions. Its kind of the point of CT.

 

I agree, Nero looks cast

 

Here's some specs:

Nero coin - 2.6g, 16.5mm, 1.9mm

Antony coin - 2.4g, 15.8mm x 16.5mm , 1.3mm

 

Too light for either of them. The Nero should be around 3.0, and I believe the Antony should be similar.

 

I'll bite. Why are these found extremely worn usually?

 

Antony used a lower quality silver alloy for these coins than was standard at that time. As a result, people spent them and hoarded the better coins.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

 

I'm sure they're both fakes.

1) Casting pearls seem to be evenly distributed on the Nero coin.

2) Evidence of casting pits on both coins.

3) Slightly Under weight for Nero, way underweight for Antony.

4) Edge seems.

5) Uneven surface on the Antony coin.

6) Never seen an Antony coin in such great condition Note: but has circulation nicks and what appears to be actual wear on some of the high points like the oars.

 

Edge seams are what stood out to me, but I know nothing about ancients.

 

Great answer Mat. Yes, it was known the Antony's were debased, so they were spent. It was not until Nero that the Antony coins were deemed good enough silver to hoard themselves.

Also, Antony was seen as a soldier's hero. As such, many soldiers carried Antony coins with them for their career. There have been finds of a single Antony coin in a battlefield 300 years after it was minted, so it is believed they were passed along in the family to soldiers for good luck.

So, for many reasons, Antony galley coins are found well worn usually. They are available in high grade though. Check out Berk's NYINC auction coming up. He is selling a large Imperatorial collection, with about 12 of these in very high grade. There is an Eide Mar for sale too. Now, just to convince my wife that we need to sell our house so Chris can buy one coin...........

 

I'm glad to see the housing market in your area is up enough that it would cover an EID MAR. Things here are still a bit depressed so all I could get would be lower grade.