Late night eBay snag: Thasos Tetradrachm

I hadn't bought an ancient in a while. Just been too busy traveling for work, shuttling kids around, studying for my Master's in History.

So last night I had a bout of insomnia, around 3:00 AM I wandered over to the computer, started surfing eBay. Made an offer on this little baby. And bang! Next thing I knew it's headed to me.

Seller's pics. I'll post mine when it arrives. Overseas sale, so that might be a while if previous experience buying ancients from overseas sellers holds true.

Thasos, island of Thrace, ca. 190 - 150 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm (16.9 gm.; 33 mm.).
Obv.: Head of Dionysos wearing ivy-wreath right.
Rev.: HPAKΛEOYΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ / ΘAΣIΩN. Youthful Herakles standing three-quarters left, head left, holding draped lion's skin and club; before, M monogram.
Reference: SNG Oxford 3677; SN Delepierre 839.

 

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Hopefully its real. I never buy greek silver on ebay. If it is, then nice addition. Much better then my worn sucker.

 

Are you confident in the seller? Did you check Forvm's fake database? The Toronto group made bunches of fake Thasos tetradrachms...

 

The seller guarantees his coins. So if it checks out bad, I'll send it back. He's got 100% positive feedback so far with 1400 transactions. I know that's no guarantee, but I felt safe enough to make the offer.

 

Well, if it's fake, I would be fooled. I like the looks of it. It's a gorgeous design.

 

That's a sweet pick-up, Bannon (congrats => very cool reverse)

... this over-cleaned and waxed Dionysos example is as close as I get to your sweet new coin-type ...

Dionysian Tetradrachm of Maroneia
168-148 BC
Dionysos & Dionysos





=> I sent my example to David Sear's California ranch where it received the a-okay

 

nice RB...this type is on my list. seems to be one the most affordable greek AR tetradrachm. i've been nervous because of the what TIF mention, lots of fakes and i'm no very experienced with these.

to me it looks genuine, and it's pretty as can be.

 

Race: Have you run this by the guys over at Forum? It might be interesting to get their take on it's authenticity.

 

This seems like a nice coin but it makes my fakey-sense tingle.

 

Given all the doubts, I'll bounce it off the crowd over at FORVM and see what they have to say.

Thanks.

 

Looks like a great coin Race, i have no idea, just hope all's well with it.

i do have one i bought a few years ago.

Greece
Thasos, Thrace
148 BC.
Ar, Tetradachm.
30mm x 16.5g.

 

The seller is not on the NFSL and has had a whole host of these tets for sale for some time. I have been tempted by several. I see absolutely nothing to worry about here. I don't know what offer you made but the coin was a good deal at the full ticket price.

Mine...

 

Thanks for weighing in Maridvnvm. I noted you're listed as one of the gurus I was going to ask an opinion of on FORVM anyways.

 

Martin's opinion is one I would count on as well. I hope it hangs tough as I like the coin very much.

 

I had that coin on my watch list! The seller had a ton of Thasos Tetradrachms - Im still looking for one to replace the example I sold years ago - A super Feminine portrait with a Lil baby fat neck going kinda like this one Tom Cederlind is currently running in his Buy or Bid sell.

http://www.tomcederlind.com/catalog/178/pages/page04.html

I don't like the Androgynous portraits where Dionysus looks wacky - but The super Fem or Masculine portraits

Hard to find in good condition at the right price - and Yes BE CAREFUL with Greek Silver on Ebay if your new to the Game...

 

Wow! That Tom Cederlind example is nice!

 

I saw it in person at the Baltimore Show, along with a bucketful of other beauties I couldn't afford.

 

Here's my photo of the OP coin. Next to a couple others for comparison. She's huge! Biggest Greek silver I own by far.

Also quick shipping from the seller located in Vienna.

 

It's a real beauty Race

 

Thanks Bing!