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My First Nero Sestertius! Or, My First Fake Nero Sestertius.
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<p>[QUOTE="Marsyas Mike, post: 7834071, member: 85693"]When a Nero sestertius shows up on eBay for $9.95 "buy it now," I find my trigger finger getting itchy. It was described only as "looks Roman" so the seller was making no claims. At that price, I figured it was worth the risk. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie67" alt=":nailbiting:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>This is the common 2 horsemen DECVRSIO type, and I was able to narrow it down to two possibilities (the obverse legend is somewhat degraded, so I couldn't narrow it any further). </p><p><br /></p><p>Forgery Network has several fake example of this type, but I'm not seeing a die match (most of them have a globe at the base of the neck for Lugdunum, or bust if facing left, and are much higher grade, etc.). In other words, there does not appear to be a fake die-match for this one. (And no, it did not come from Bulgaria - the seller is USA and I've bought from him before - he sells a wide variety of world coins cheap, with occasional ancients).</p><p><br /></p><p>Obviously this is not a high grade specimen, but I was surprised how high relief both the bust and horsemen were - for the wear I'd expect a "flatter" feel to it. Is this the sign of a cast fake? The overall appearance is somewhat "soapy" but I've seen this look with AEs that have been harshly stripped of their patina (as this one appears to have been). I see no edge seam. The weight is a bit low at 21.50 grams, but given the wear and patina stripping, this doesn't seem too far off. The 31 mm diameter seems in keeping with these. It has a nice, mellow yellow color with pleasing contrasts (at least I think so):</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1346633[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>Nero Æ Sestertius</b></p><p><b>(c. 62-68 A.D.)</b></p><p><b>Rome Mint</b></p><p>NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG [GER(M) P M TR P IMP PP], laureate head right with aegis / DECVRS[IO] below, SC, Nero riding right escorted by a soldier riding right, holding vexillum.</p><p>RIC 170 or RIC 172 (see notes).</p><p>(21.51 grams / 31 mm)</p><p>eBay Aug. 2021 $9.95 BIN</p><p><b>Attribution Note: </b>Many varieties of this type:</p><p><b>Obv.:</b> Laureate bust right with aegis, no globe at tip (thus not Lugdunum mint), CLAVDIVS in full. </p><p>Obverse legend variations (not visible on this specimen):</p><p>RIC 170: GER (no M), </p><p>RIC 172: GERM</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1346634[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Any opinions on this in regards to authenticity, etc. would be appreciated. Hunches and wild guesses are fine - at this price I am not going to burst into tears if it's a fake - if nothing else, I learned a lot about the sestertii of Nero this morning! </p><p><br /></p><p>Also, I'm sure there are some prettier examples of this out there, which I'd like to see. If somebody has a (genuine) die match, then, please, make my day! <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie101" alt=":woot:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Marsyas Mike, post: 7834071, member: 85693"]When a Nero sestertius shows up on eBay for $9.95 "buy it now," I find my trigger finger getting itchy. It was described only as "looks Roman" so the seller was making no claims. At that price, I figured it was worth the risk. :nailbiting: This is the common 2 horsemen DECVRSIO type, and I was able to narrow it down to two possibilities (the obverse legend is somewhat degraded, so I couldn't narrow it any further). Forgery Network has several fake example of this type, but I'm not seeing a die match (most of them have a globe at the base of the neck for Lugdunum, or bust if facing left, and are much higher grade, etc.). In other words, there does not appear to be a fake die-match for this one. (And no, it did not come from Bulgaria - the seller is USA and I've bought from him before - he sells a wide variety of world coins cheap, with occasional ancients). Obviously this is not a high grade specimen, but I was surprised how high relief both the bust and horsemen were - for the wear I'd expect a "flatter" feel to it. Is this the sign of a cast fake? The overall appearance is somewhat "soapy" but I've seen this look with AEs that have been harshly stripped of their patina (as this one appears to have been). I see no edge seam. The weight is a bit low at 21.50 grams, but given the wear and patina stripping, this doesn't seem too far off. The 31 mm diameter seems in keeping with these. It has a nice, mellow yellow color with pleasing contrasts (at least I think so): [ATTACH=full]1346633[/ATTACH] [B]Nero Æ Sestertius (c. 62-68 A.D.) Rome Mint[/B] NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG [GER(M) P M TR P IMP PP], laureate head right with aegis / DECVRS[IO] below, SC, Nero riding right escorted by a soldier riding right, holding vexillum. RIC 170 or RIC 172 (see notes). (21.51 grams / 31 mm) eBay Aug. 2021 $9.95 BIN [B]Attribution Note: [/B]Many varieties of this type: [B]Obv.:[/B] Laureate bust right with aegis, no globe at tip (thus not Lugdunum mint), CLAVDIVS in full. Obverse legend variations (not visible on this specimen): RIC 170: GER (no M), RIC 172: GERM [ATTACH=full]1346634[/ATTACH] Any opinions on this in regards to authenticity, etc. would be appreciated. Hunches and wild guesses are fine - at this price I am not going to burst into tears if it's a fake - if nothing else, I learned a lot about the sestertii of Nero this morning! Also, I'm sure there are some prettier examples of this out there, which I'd like to see. If somebody has a (genuine) die match, then, please, make my day! :woot:[/QUOTE]
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My First Nero Sestertius! Or, My First Fake Nero Sestertius.
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