This Coin just came in from Serbia, Bronze coin (AE4) minted at Aquilea during the reign of FLAVIUS VICTOR between the summer of 387 – 28 Aug. 388 A.D. Obv. D.N.FL.VICTOR.P.F.AVG. pearl-diad., dr. & cuir. bust right. Rev. SPES.ROMANORVM. Camp-gate, 5 layers, no door, star above. RCS #4211. RICIX #55b pg.105. DVM #6. Showing the auction pictures and the actual coin picture. Finally got a Flavius Victor coin. Show your Flavius Victor Coins. So, what is the overall opinion, is this coin a fake?
I think the coin might be a fake, especially as it looks on the last two pics you have added. Take a look here for similar products of this "workshop": https://www.cointalk.com/threads/new-galla-placidia-and-authenticity-concerns.316204/#post-3080039 https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-plethora-of-fakes.340385/#post-3561400 I think there's some familiarity between your coin and the ones shown there in both style and fabric.
Agreed- the portrait looks off to me. I don't think this is a genuine Flavius Victor My examples for reference
Original auction listing for those wondering. The seller, miromanas-0 is on several fakeseller lists. I don't know anything about coins of Flavius Victor to comment on the style or anything like that but the overall engraving technique looks pretty similar to some very poorly made Antony/Cleopatra fakes I've seen popping up on eBay recently, which usually have a similar blue background.
Compare the seller's "sold" listings: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?isRefine=true&sid=miromanas-0&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1
miromanas-0 is a seller of terrible fakes and quite bold or just stupid...or both. In 2019, he listed four examples of "Saturninus" for sell at almost the same time.
I'd be the last to question the advice to stay away from a Serbian on the fakeseller lists but I miss completely the style matching between the coin purchased and all those terrible fakes from that seller. I am not saying that the coin is genuine or not just that there are ten thousand fakes and no need for them to match. I only have one Flavius Victor and it is a different mint (Arles) so there is no expectation of the styles to match. Are the experts here saying mine is fake, too?
Assuming you live in the US this will be difficult. All ancient coins originally come from "overseas"
Those all look terrible as well but I still think the OP's coin looks mostly OK. Is this a rare emperor? I see some resemblance to the ones posted so I guess guilty by association might be the best option.
Flavius Victor was the young son of Magnus Maximus, briefly elevated to Augustus to represent his father in the West when Maximus attempted to depose Valentinian II. All of his coins are rare, pricey ($100+) and there are numerous published fakes of his AE coinage. A questionable style Flavius Victor should absolutely be treated with suspicion - and I would say this is most definitely questionable.
Ok let me correct my statement: This is why I don’t buy from overseas sellers. Namely, Eastern European countries. I’ve seen interesting coins at enticing prices but the amount of fakes is not worth the hassle. I’m sure there are reputable sellers there but I just don’t have the time, skill, or money to put towards that effort.
Does Western Europe -- the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland -- count as "overseas"? (I'm omitting Italy because of the export license issues.) I've bought from all of them.