I have seen quite a few die matches of this coin popping up a lot. More than I'd expect for a relatively rare type. I suppose it could be an undisclosed hoard. But I am worried these are new high quality forgeries. Have been showing up in various venues without any provenance. What do you think: http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotvi...Lot=1034&Val=fe9fd2d329588da122dfeadb9c597c59 https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=323097 http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotvi...Lot=1258&Val=622e7f720e646cf16e6774c561d1b8bd http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lanz-Rome-C...ath-Wreath-Silver-Emperor-hl261-/301506621656 https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-4QCF9 https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/dm...ly_rare_vicennalian_issue/650408/Default.aspx https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2838264 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2838265 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2267926
Siliquae always seem odd to me in comparison to other coins of the era, so I am a terrible judge. I don't like the looks of it, but there are so many being sold on quality venues I have a hard time disqualifying them. The short answer is, I dunno, but I don't think I would buy one of these.
Very suspicious. They all look in the exact same state of preservation. Could be a new hoard. I would not buy one.
My observation. Quick glance: Seems approx 5pm is a common spot. Just differing "damage/chipping" at that point...
I hate to question otherwise very reliable vendors. I happily make purchases from several of those sellers on a regular basis. I suppose they could be a new hoard coming from war-torn Middle East, given that they were minted in Antioch, but I am concerned for forgery. The quality is good, and if it is a forgery it has fooled a number of top experts. But I am also suspicious for fake dies (transfer) with this issue.
Certainly not fake. Siliquae were not minted on the scale that denarii were so it's not uncommon to find die matches.
I have noticed the increase in frequency too, but I think it is just a hoard being disbursed. My bids have all been too low, but I did bid on some, which proves I think they were genuine.
Several seem to have seen more of these lately. Are all you see of this design from these dies or are there other dies involved also? Looking at old sales before this recent bunch, how many dies do you find and how many from this set? The idea of a 'mint bag' hoard will explain the high grade and many die duplicates but it would seem wise for someone to research the relationship between these and previously known coins.
The very different flanks of the nine specimens under consideration indicate rather antique coins. A summary of these RIC35 silicas. Above, 4 copies of different dies, the first two of the British museum. The dispersion of weights shows a different wear due to monetary cicrculation. Below, the 9 copies in question. The very low standard deviation indicates rather a contemporary hoarding.
