I have started a parallel thread to this over on Forvm but thought it worth duplicating here as I know that there are people who do not frequent both sites. I have been watching the output of a seller on ebay that has been introducing quite a few coins that I have have not seen offered before. The coins all appear to be cast. Whilst the following characteristics are not in themselves damning they are worthy of note. The seller purports to be based in Austria but is actually in Bulgaria. All the auctions are private. In an interesting twist they seller generally offers the coins in either a BuyItNow (Make Offer) format or has a standard auction format but with the starting price in the $200-$300 range. This seems to be a tactic to create credibility in the knowledge of the seller in that they are not starting everything at $1. Many of the types are scarce / rare. This is the first that I wanted to share. It has all the signs of being cast. No characteristics of a struck coin. Soft details, rounded edges, evidence of casting pits, remnants of casting sprue at 4 o'clock on reverse. Domitian AR Denarius Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERMANIC COS XIIII, Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, right Rev: CENS P P P across field, Minerva stg. left, with spear Rome mint, 88 AD References - RIC 569 (Rated R). BMC 140. RSC 26a. Weight 3.38 gms Thoughts? Martin
The piece is indeed a cast forgery. Depending on the photography this fake can be dangerously deceptive. I recently had to warn a fellow collector about it. NB:A similar cast (with more deceptive photography).
..yeah, that lQQks to be some of 'antiquiti's coins...those Bulgarians....they list like its shipping from the UK, but if you look on their page, they are indeed in Bulgaria..peeps need to look at the Forums fake seller list...
I really hope people find such posts useful. I am happy to continue doing these if people find them useful / interesting.
Thank you. Your posts are always very helpful and informative, Martin. Personally, I appreciate them very much.