Hi all! I know this is quite a commonly faked Nero type, so just wondered what other people's thoughts are on it before I put in an offer? Real or fake? Thanks, Ed
I would be very cautious. The legends are soapy, and there the surface looks pitted - both indications of casting
It looks typical of many Nero denarii, so I am with @Andres2. I believe it to be genuine, but weight would be most helpful.
The seller is called nrp3000 and they havent given a weight and diameter in their listing (another reason I'm a bit wary)
It looks like it could be genuine, but there is no way I would buy it from just the photo alone. I'd want to see it in hand first.
It's a seller you don't know. There isn't enough info to make a decision. You're having misgivings. I wouldn't buy it. It's not like Nero denarii are rare if you're not in the market for a specific type. They are pricey only because there is a much higher demand for them than for antoniniani of Volusian or Faustina I. On any given day the well-heeled collector could buy a hundred of them. No exaggeration. You'll never be happy with this coin. Save your money and watch auctions and v-coins. You'll find one you can be happy with if you're patient.
Thanks for the advice everyone! Since I'm here, I wonder if there are any denarius sellers you might recommend?
Lots of them. This is just a partial list of retail dealers I trust and in no particular order. Many (but not all) will have coins of Nero in stock at any time: Incitatus Coins Marc Breitsprecher, Classical Numismatist Victors Imperial Coins Forum Ancient Coins London Ancient Coins Moneta Athena Numismatics Romae Aeternae Numismatics Ken Dorney Sphinx Numismatics Romanorum
..looks legit to me..maybe a little porus...i've got one like it...maybe even a a die match..mines 2.95 gms and 17 mm..
They are getting better and better at faking AGE... and with certain venues almost encouraging the sale of forgeries "buyer beware" has to kick in with any doubt unless you are a gambler. Making a living faking a $50 coin would seem unlikely, but like Josey Wales said "dying aint much of a living" They are out there ...I bought a $20 Trajan denarius that I didn't look at it real close(because he is so common) later found out under magnification that it was cast. I was shocked!
