Hello! Can anyone help ID this and/or give me an idea of its worth? The only word (or part of a word) that I can clearly make out is "polis". There are other letters before and after "polis", but they are hard to make out. It looks like it says: TRIPOLIS:SV CIVITAS. ANY help would be MUCH appreciated!
Antidote- You're right, it says "Civitas Tripolis". I have found out that it's a silver besant of Tripoli, but unfortunatley, un-marked reproductions of these are mass produced for tourists. Is there any way of telling if it's a repro?
Tripoli is in Libya, and has long been a stronghold of piracy. ("... to the shores of Tripoli..." goes the US Coast Guard song referring to the engagements of 1801-1805.) Tripoli passed from the Ottoman Empire to the Italian Empire in 1911. The British took it in World War II. I would say that the Tripolitans have had several centuries in which to practice catering to tourists. The best way to authenticate the coin is to compare it to a known genuine item, at least from about the same general time and place. Yours looks a little grainy, like a cast counterfeit would, but that is not unusual in a coin 1000 years old -- unless it is remarkably well preserved. Weighing the coin would be another telltale. Again, though, as close as tolerances were, variations could be wide. A reputable dealer in medievals might be able to tell at a glance what you need to know.
Right! What was I thinking? And me, born on November 10... Marines: From the Halls of Montezuma To the Shores of Tripoli; We fight our country's battles On the land as on the sea; First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine. Coast Guard: From Aztec shore to Arctic zone, To Europe and Far East. The Flag is carried by our ships, In times of war and peace. And never have we struck it yet, In spite of foe-men's might, Who cheered our crews and cheered again, For showing how to fight
