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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Insider, post: 2467914, member: 24314&quot;]Wow!&nbsp; That is an entire C/F seminar subject. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie52" alt=":hilarious:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie52" alt=":hilarious:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie52" alt=":hilarious:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie52" alt=":hilarious:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Basically, All C/F&#039;s are made using the same processes.&nbsp; So, the exact same rules/methods apply as for any numismatic authentication: Most important is TO KNOW WHAT THE GENUINE SHOULD LOOK LIKE.&nbsp; This has become much harder as the quality of all fakes has improved over the decades. Nevertheless, it seems most experienced collectors/dealers can still authenticate the majority of ancients with their naked eyes!</p><p><br /></p><p>In a C/F seminar around 1974, the instructor fielded a question (from a scientist in the class) about magnification.&nbsp; Our instructor told us that he used a stereo microscope to examine coins.&nbsp; Then he told the class that if the scientist returned to his lab and started to study the surface of genuine coins using an electron microscope he had access to, the scientist would soon surpass him (our instructor) in knowledge about what a genuine coin should look like.&nbsp; This was back in the 70&#039;s!&nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>As for me, long ago, most of the fake ancients I saw were crude in style and fabric, plus many were just obvious casts.&nbsp; IMO, the really deceptive counterfeit ancients (now mostly exposed) started out at a much higher level as made by Becker, etc.&nbsp; The old counterfeiters were good.&nbsp; The late 20th Century counterfeiters were much better (Black Sea Hoard).&nbsp; Today, the production methods are much better.</p><p><br /></p><p>So unfortunately, since virtually no professional numismatists involved with ancients bothered to study these coins using a stereo microscope in the 70&#039;s and beyond, the chance to see the evolution of the MICRO SURFACE of the more modern fakes was lost!&nbsp; Collectors/dealers continued to rely on things such as style and weight.&nbsp; Same for Chinese numismatics.&nbsp; Fortunately, the Internet has allowed us to develop data bases of counterfeit ancients where dies and repeating imperfections can be tracked. </p><p><br /></p><p>Since I know nothing about style, denomination, City State, ruler, date, etc.; all I can do is rely on the microscopic surface characteristics I see.&nbsp; That includes the type of crystallization, and surface imperfections that are commonly seen on cast and struck counterfeit coins of all eras and countries.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;m just a rookie.&nbsp; I rarely have a chance to examine ancients anymore under the scope as I don&#039;t actively collect them.&nbsp; When I go to a show, I will bring home some attractive, INEXPENSIVE, Greek or Roman bronze thingies <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie52" alt=":hilarious:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie52" alt=":hilarious:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie52" alt=":hilarious:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> for my wife.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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