I bought this coin when I had even less knowledge then I do now wich is just enough to be dangerous. I am looking at another coin from the same seller and it looks good to my untrained eye too. Obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT PP Rev. ANNONA AVG SC in ex. RIC 262 Sear 2782 The coin weighs 11.25 grams Thank you for your opinions even if I made a big mistake.
I'm not so certain about this one @alde for a couple of reasons. 1. Everything seems rather soft 2. Weight should be about 3g heavier 3. Portrait seems off especially for 85AD
Well, first of all the attribution is incorrect. It appears that the correct attribution is: RIC 367 Obv.: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT P P Domitian radiate right. Rev.: ANNONA AVG; S C IN EXERGUE. Annona standing right, with bag of corn ears; to right, small figure standing left, and in the background, stern of ship To my eye, the portrait style appears a little off, but I note that researching Domitian Dupondius on ACSEARCH also comes up a number of slightly funky-looking obverse portraits as well. Was this purchased from a VCoins dealer? Added: I note that the one similar coin on ACSEARCH, from CNG, weighed 11.84 g., so I don't think the weight is too far off for a dupondius. But the smoothness on the obverse seems strange.
I'm beginning to wonder just how many fakes I have in my collection. I am almost afraid to know but I guess it's best to have the truth.
Hmm, I don't know. I want it to be good because it's a very cool coin-- apparently rare too given the few examples in archives. The reverse style doesn't looks a bit off but the style of those in archives are all over the map as well. I haven't looked closely at the details, such as the exact legends. Maybe @David Atherton will render an opinion.
I hope like the dickens I am wrong as well. And I wouldn't condemn it outright just yet. I hate to ask, but about what did you pay. I'm not curious other than if the price may have been too low for this coin. I believe it to be a rare issue, but, like @TIF said, wait for @David Atherton to chime in. He's the expert on Flavians.
I'm sure you already know to check the rim for a seam but I'll go ahead and mention it anyway. I was looking at other examples and this one seems on the low end of the acceptable weight range but still acceptable. I honestly think it might be okay.
It was ebay seller alexa026. He has nothing listed at the moment but all his listing looked fine to me. Most of his coins are usually nice late Romans.
Seller is mentioned on Warren Esty's fakeseller list as: alexa026 (2-016 Sept, a "gently smoothed" Hadrian travel sestertius that is eithr fully fake or very eriously tooled.
I need to stop getting excited about a pretty coin and do the research. I have to be willing to pass on questionable coins. Some fakes are so obvious and others very well done.
if this passed 6 months mark, you can't get you money back, if it was purchased under 6 months you have a good shot in returning it..
The overall look seem 'OK' to my eye, but I find the smoothness of the surfaces and the uniformity of the legends a little odd. Also, is that the true color? FWIW, in my opinion it may be a genuine coin which has been overtly smoothed. But please take this with a grain of salt!
The color is an even brown. If it was a US Large Cent the color would be perfect to me. I would much rather have a tooled coin than an all out fake. At least it has its history. I'm learning so much from you guys and the research that you are steering me to. I really appreciate it.