Opinion on Domitian Dupondius please.

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by alde, Feb 5, 2017.

  1. alde

    alde Always Learning

    Domitian Dupondius.png 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.
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2017
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  3. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    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
     
  4. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Not a fan of the look either.
     
  5. IdesOfMarch01

    IdesOfMarch01 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  6. alde

    alde Always Learning

    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.
     
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  7. alde

    alde Always Learning

    The coin was purchased from an eBay seller about 6 months ago.
     
  8. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    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.
     
    Paul M. likes this.
  9. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    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.
     
  10. alde

    alde Always Learning

    Bing, I paid $200 US for it.
     
  11. Curtisimo

    Curtisimo the Great(ish)

    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.
     
  12. alde

    alde Always Learning

    The edge looks good to me. No seems or tool marks or anything the looks strange.
     
  13. red_spork

    red_spork Triumvir monetalis

    What eBay seller did you purchase it from?
     
  14. alde

    alde Always Learning

    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.
     
  15. red_spork

    red_spork Triumvir monetalis

    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.
     
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  16. alde

    alde Always Learning

    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.
     
    gregarious likes this.
  17. Svarog

    Svarog Well-Known Member

    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..
     
    gregarious likes this.
  18. Svarog

    Svarog Well-Known Member

    ouch
     
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  19. Eduard

    Eduard Supporter**

    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!
     
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  20. Svarog

    Svarog Well-Known Member

    + I would never buy anything from the sellers from the following countries: Serbia, Bulgaria, Cyprus
     
  21. alde

    alde Always Learning

    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.
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2017
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