Authentic or Copy?

I once again humbly request the members here to take a look at these coins and give an opinion as to the authenticity of the coins...

 

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I don't know on this one, to me they look fake. maybe Curtisimo or lordmarcovan can help on this one, wait for the experts too.

 

Hmm. Well... as we asked in the previous thread in which you asked for authenticity opinions for these same three coins, can you tell us the size and weight of each, better/more images, etc? In that thread not many people ventured an opinion, instead waiting for more information. Several people could not commit to a position due to lack of information and poor images. Ken Dorney ventured an opinion (cast fake).

 

Sorry, my bad, let me get the stats...senior error

 

Sorry again @TIF


and


and finally

 

@Kentucky , I will not give any opinion as I have never stated that I am an expert, and we all know that photos mean nothing. We all know that we need to know the Seller and/or to know the coin.

I have one to toss out so that you can look / compare. Mine comes from a very reputable Seller that I know and trust:


AR drachm, 19mm, 5.9g; 4th century BC.
Obv.: Facing male heads, the left inverted.
Rev.: IΣTPIH; Sea-eagle left, grasping dolphin with talons; below dolphin, K.
Reference: Rausch 19, 17; cf. AMNG 434 (Q under eagle’s tail) and 434.1 (Θ under eagle’s tail)
EX: @John Anthony

His cool write-up:
2. Istros, or Histria, was another important port city in on the Black Sea, situated near the mouth of the Danube River. What is the meaning of the two heads on this coin, one inverted? The motif does not appear anywhere else in Greek art, and the coiners of Istros left us no clues by way of an inscription. They obviously represent some sort of duality. David Sear suggests the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, or the rising and setting sun, or perhaps the two branches of the Danube River. As with most mythological symbols, the interpretations are various and manifold. Equally mysterious is the eagle grasping a dolphin. Does it refer to the dominance of one town over another? Does it have anything to do with the river god of Istros? Things only a time machine could solve (and fluency in Classical Greek of course). In the meantime, read Doug Smith’s instructive page here.

 

On the last picture you can see base metal peeking through. Aren't these supposed to be silver?

 

It's obvious mine is an ex JAZ and his photo

Istros, Moesia.
AR Trihemiobol, 10mm, 1.1g; c. 380/350-330/280 BC.
Obv. Facing male heads, the right inverted.
Rev. IΣTΡIH, sea-eagle grasping a dolphin with talons.
Reference: SNG BM 250

I am going to go with @Alegandron and not voice an opinion but also to agree with @dadams

I have my opinion but will say compare mine and Gandolfs photos against your own. Yet mine isn't a drachm either but you get the point.

 

I don't always agree with Alegandron but when I do .... see the above.

These are common coins. There are many genuine examples being sold by reputable dealers who will guarantee their authenticity. Buy one of them.
I bought this one from Stacks/Coin Galleries in 1990.


I bought this one from CNG in 1998.


Both photos show something that CT members will decide means the coins are fake. Should I be worried? I'm not.

 

It is hard to say from just the images, but something doesn't look right to me - on all three. But not being an expert my judgement means nothing. Here is mine to compare. As above, it was purchased from a reputable dealer.

 

I saw that in the photo, but didn't notice it in-hand. Were there fourees of these coins like exist of Roman silver coins?

 

For educational value, what is it...either from @dougsmit or another member, please.

 

Sorry, but I don't like them @Kentucky . What I am looking at are the mouths. I have many of these, of all denominations, (not sure but have from drachms all the way down to the 7mm ones). I simply have not seen mouths like this, and all three of yours are the same shape. They look like a punch was made to punch them into a blank face.

Just my opinion sir.

 

Why does the last coin that @Kentucky posted have all the copper/bronze spots showing through? Am I mistaken in thinking that these were supposed to be silver? Not making a judgement either way (I don't know anything), just trying to learn.

 

Absolutely @furryfrog02 I have seen Roman silver coins that were plated over copper and are called fouree coins that were circulating counterfeits. Don't know if these were common for these old Greek types though. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourrée

 

from the side view, considering its age, the faces look raised a lil too much. . I mean you have to ask, shouldnt they be worn down by now?
Id be suspicious as well.

no casting lines on the edges though but it prob is a modern forgery. silver looks glossy( as if plated or silver wash) I doubt its solid silver.unless it was really polished. Did you check the weight?

 

There are fourrees of this type (and just about any Greek type you can name). I think the third, porous, one is an ancient counterfeit, and the other two are ancient. That said, the type has been faked a lot
(see the forgery network http://forgerynetwork.com/ and enter "Istros" in the keyword search line [leave the others blank])
and I have not seen the OP coins in hand.

 

Why is it so glossy in the obverse and reverse and so dull on the edges? that in of itself is suspicious could be evidence of tooling

 

There are fourrees of everything from the beginning of coinage until silver was so debased that it was no longer profitable. I know many here don't follow provided links but that is one way of learning. It is easier than repeating everything for every post asking the same questions. Alegandron linked to my Istros page.

This is my page on Greek fourrees.
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/fourreeg.html
This Istros fourree has a lot of core exposure on the faces.