So one of the coins I`ve been waiting for during lockdown has arrived today and it has immediately shot up to the number one spot for my favourite coin (so far). However, I am having slight trouble nailing the exact attribution as the reverse has no obvious or worn S C in any fields. Can anyone assist please? Could the S C just be worn away? This is the nearest I have so far but all examples with S C in the rev fields:- http://numismatics.org/ocre/results?q=fulltext%3AM+ANTONINVS+AVG+TR+P+XXVI+AND+deity_facet%3A%22Victory%22+AND+denomination_facet%3A%22Sestertius%22 MARCUS AURELIUS 23.10g 38mm OB: M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVI: Bust of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right. REV: IMP VI COS III: Victory, winged, naked to waist, standing right, placing with left hand on palm-tree a shield inscribed, VIC GER
Here is a genuine sestertius of the type: 31 mm. IMP VI COS III I'm sure all of you can see the difference in style.
Yeah, I learned long ago never to hang your hat on "crud' as an authenticator. Many different sellers can apply "crud" effectively. Honestly, look at a lot of those coins with "desert patina". Notice something? Most are not very good grades under the "sand", but the artificial patina makes them look a lot nicer than they would look without it. Even if you like the look of a certain patina, look UNDER it to see what condition the coin is really in.
Good point, without the crud i would have been instantly suspicious.....too good to be true. I feel so pee'd off at being suckered like this. Hard lesson. Anyway, the seller has not responded so I am despondent. Time for a glass of wine.
Dude, we have all been stuck with duds. If you get upset with this, you will have a rough time in this hobby. Do the best you can, hold sellers accountable when you can, notice that you might have to pay more for good sellers, but these problems mostly go away with them, and still have fun. Way more positives with this hobby than negatives. Chin up, stiff upper lip, you will get it sorted, and whatever other cool phrases you guys have on the other side of the pond.
Sorry to hear about the bad news. Convincing crud has nipped me a couple times too. These situations can be very educational, so don't despair! Here's a worn, but I think authentic denarius of a similar type, but with VIC PAR rather than VIC GER (note the lack of SC on the reverse): Marcus Aurelius Denarius (166 A.D.) Rome Mint M ANTO[NINVS AVG] ARM PARTH MAX, laureate head right / TR P XX [IMP IIII C]OS III, Victory standing front holding palm and fixing to palm tree shield inscribed VIC PAR. RIC 163; BMCRE 406. (2.82 grams / 18 mm)
There are fakesellers lists, one at Forum https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=18502.0 and another here: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/fakesellers.html Don't buy from eBay without checking the lists first. I encourage you all to join the CoinForgeryDiscussionList https://groups.io/g/CFDL/messages which is for ancient coins only. You don't have contribute; you can just lurk and learn. Here are some important thoughts about buying on eBay: http://augustuscoins.com/pages/edit/coins/ed/numis/auction.html Don't buy from eBay if you have not thought about the ideas on that page.
Don't let this ruin the hobby for you .. don't feel embarrassed - It is just something to learn from. This has happened to me twice - the good people here helped point out the issues. Luckily I was able to get my money back on both occasions. Still feels like crap though - just enjoy the wine.. tomorrow is a new day. I do not own this type - but I will show my worn sestertius of Marcus Aurelius:
Yes, I have three lists on the go, as well as CFDL, the seller wasnt on any. I always check. Thanks for the kind thoughts all.....one to chalk up to experience and move on.
