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Can this be the very same gold coin? Roman original or Gothic imitation?
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<p>[QUOTE="Tejas, post: 3838862, member: 84905"]The two coins are one and the same. The coin picture on the barbarous-imitationsnarod.ru-website shows the original, unmodified coin. The coin was likely sold on an Ukrainian auction site. The buyer then had the coin modified, i.e. the fields were heavily smoothed and scratches on the bust were removed. The smoothing is clearly visible on the reverse below the small Victory figure. The coin is struck not cast.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is hard to say if the coin is official or a barbaric Imitation. My theory would be this: The coin was probably made from official dies, which barbarians looted in a Roman town. The obvers die was still in good condition and was hence left mostly in its original state (the letters may have been slightly recut, but the bust is beyond the capabilities of the barbarians). But the reverse dies had worn out and was more significantly recut (official mints would not do this with dies for gold coins). This Theory may seem strange, but it happened quite a lot with Roman dies, which the Goths looted for example during the raid of Alexandria Troas. This Theory accounts for the find spot and the slightly barbaric reverse. (I know the numismatist who is running the barbarous-imitationnarod.ru Website. The fact that the coin is on it is strong indication that it is ancient and that the find spot is correct)</p><p><br /></p><p>Overall, this an an interesting historical piece. Unfortunately, the best part of its history was erased by the modern smoothing and modifications. Personally, I would not buy this coin in the current state.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Tejas, post: 3838862, member: 84905"]The two coins are one and the same. The coin picture on the barbarous-imitationsnarod.ru-website shows the original, unmodified coin. The coin was likely sold on an Ukrainian auction site. The buyer then had the coin modified, i.e. the fields were heavily smoothed and scratches on the bust were removed. The smoothing is clearly visible on the reverse below the small Victory figure. The coin is struck not cast. It is hard to say if the coin is official or a barbaric Imitation. My theory would be this: The coin was probably made from official dies, which barbarians looted in a Roman town. The obvers die was still in good condition and was hence left mostly in its original state (the letters may have been slightly recut, but the bust is beyond the capabilities of the barbarians). But the reverse dies had worn out and was more significantly recut (official mints would not do this with dies for gold coins). This Theory may seem strange, but it happened quite a lot with Roman dies, which the Goths looted for example during the raid of Alexandria Troas. This Theory accounts for the find spot and the slightly barbaric reverse. (I know the numismatist who is running the barbarous-imitationnarod.ru Website. The fact that the coin is on it is strong indication that it is ancient and that the find spot is correct) Overall, this an an interesting historical piece. Unfortunately, the best part of its history was erased by the modern smoothing and modifications. Personally, I would not buy this coin in the current state.[/QUOTE]
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Can this be the very same gold coin? Roman original or Gothic imitation?
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