Can't Identify....what is it?

This coin was found inside my grandfathers collection. His coins were all legit; except he did have a set of fake "copper" WWII composition lincoln cents. (43, 43D, 43S looking like copper but stick to a magnet)

This coin has a few letters--not sure what language--looks like "MONCY" or "MONCL" the Obverse. I can't distinguish the markings on the reverse. Has pliers, a pick axe, and maybe a clay pot depicted on reverse.

It seems to have been struck off center--and it's not even round but oval.

Also--for scale--the vertical diameter is almost identical to a lincoln penny.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Looks Roman Republican to me, but that's not my area of expertise.

But an expert here would probably want to know: can you tell us the size and weight?

 

Unfortunately you've got what appears to be a modern cast replica of a Roman Republic denarius of the moneyer T. Carisius. This is a popular type that is often faked.

 

I agree with red. Modern replica

 

Actually an interesting looking coin, let's see what the experts say. Weight would be a good thing...............never mind.

 

It's about 19mm diameter and approximately 3 grams (my scale isn't very accurate).

 

I believe your coin is a fake. Here's mine, and no, it's not authentic.

 

I think the last post just nailed the OP as a DEFINITE fake.

 

Interesting. I LOVE this website & forums, very fast response & seems like a massive source of collector knowledge.

So I'm curious--what do you see in the photos which are tell tales of a fake? Or--what is missing versus the authentic version.

 

Forgive me, I am learning the lingo...but what is "OP"?

 

Wow...that's almost an exact match!

 

Original Post, first one.

 

Welcome Jeff, did you see how fast the experienced ancient collectors replied that your piece was a fake? For them, there was no reason to weigh it as it is not silver (color is giveaway) and it appears to have a raised casting seam around the edge.

 

YES!! Amazing experts in these forums.

 

It could well be silver. fakes are cast in silver , and silver tarnishes to black, but I think the style and the pitting which is a telltale sign of casting are the giveaways.

 

Take a look here. Your coin appears to be an exact match to this fake:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pos=1

 

These cast fakes were made from a genuine original which was off center and had a curved cut on the face. The more you see, the more it strikes you that defects should not be the same on all coins. Sometimes you will see one with a fault filled in but usually they are just too exact to be individually struck originals. I have seen dozens of them. Most of us were fooled by the first one we saw but not the subsequent ones.

 

BEST REPLY!!! AMAZING.

 

Which includes me. But I was lucky. One of our fellow collectors recognized it immediately and I was was able to obtain a refund. Since then, I have seen many of these fakes.

 

The proliferation of clever fakes is amazing. How many people are 100% certain that everything in their collection is real?