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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Antiochus V, post: 2476836, member: 80729&quot;]Well, I&#039;ve had the chance to fully review the literature about fake coins provided kindly by a member who posted it in reply to my post.</p><p><br /></p><p>Nothing in the guide suggests to me that the coin on the right (Aexandria) is a fake. (I can&#039;t comment on the other coin as I returned it to the seller based on Martin&#039;s comments.)</p><p><br /></p><p>As the guide wisely states you cannot categorically state that a coin is fake based on pictures.</p><p><br /></p><p>And here&#039;s why I&#039;m pretty confident my coin is original:</p><p><br /></p><p>1. There is absolutely no bubbling or dots on the surface of the coin as had been suggested. Anything taken as such is in fact just spots of tarnish that do not breach the surface of the coin. You can see this clearly when tilting the coin in the light. These spots of grime/tarnish can be wiped away but I&#039;d rather keep the coin as it is.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. The coin has deep lustre highlights, the letters included, and parts of the letters are sharply defined, not soft or dull. </p><p><br /></p><p>3. The surface of the coin has concave inclination, in keeping with being a coin that has been struck not cast.</p><p><br /></p><p>4. The photo of the coin provided by Martin is much softer and less defined than my coin. My coin has details in the eye, curls of hair, more sculpted shape of feet and is an overall more accomplished piece of art. It is sharper, more realistic and is certainly no facsimile of the cast version (with bubbles) provided by Martin. There is even an extra wisp of hair below the ear that does not feature in the cast coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>After reading the literature and reviewing my coin carefully I am very clear it is likely original. It is in fact a coin that was in circulation in the place I bought it. So it is perhaps not so surprising to find very good examples of real ancient coins here.</p><p><br /></p><p>And as for the snooty person assuming I might get in trouble with the state dept for buying ancient coins in Iraq, kindly note I&#039;m not American but an Iraqi citizen and I have every right to buy coins from antique stores in my place of birth!</p><p><br /></p><p>I clearly believe, respectfully, that Martin has got it wrong on this occasion based on impressions from photographs that led to the wrong conclusions but I do appreciate the pointers that have helped me come to this conclusion and understand the things to look out for with ancient coins. I&#039;m</p><p>going to have the coin checked out in person by a coin collector and expert in Scotland next month so watch this space...</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks all</p><p><br /></p><p>Az[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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