Hi guys. I picked up a lot of coins from Cyprus the other day. This coin measures 19.8mm and weighs 7.3g. So the size matches up pretty well but it's a couple grams heavy. Thoughts?
The coin is a nice looking coin and I see nothing that bothers me about it. However, Cyprus has some of the most strict antiquities laws and is why I generally stay away from sellers from that country. There are also a couple of sellers on Ebay from Cyprus that are on the NFSL. Just another reason to be careful. Have you checked this coin against the fake databases?
The seller came to me highly recommended to me from friends "in the know". I looked through the databases and didn't see any matches.
Legalities aside, it looks genuine to me---and it's fantastic---which always makes me a bit nervous too... It even has the 'centering hole' and no obvious signs of casting that I can notice...but I'm only familiar with those chunky types and not an 'expert' by any sense of the imagination... I'm sure the few members we have that extensively collect these types will post shortly.. Good luck!!!
I see signs on the coin that I believe would be hard to fake so I have no trouble accepting the coin as genuine. Legal to own is another question.
The MOA between the US and Cyprus was extended for five years in 2007. We are now beyond that extension. Does anyone know if it was renewed? Also, the MOA restricted imports of antiquities from Cyprus, but did not make them illegal. Dealers licensed by the Cypriot authorities could still legally export coins. This is similar to the arrangement in many Middle Eastern countries. Are my facts straight, or does anyone know better?
That was my understanding of the current laws for the import of coins from Cyprus. From my research it appears that there were no further extensions.
A pile of coins like that always looks impressive, but if you look closely, you'll find plenty of problem coins - corroded, harshly cleaned, extremely worn, extremely crusty, damaged. I have no doubt Matt will make a decent profit on the good coins, but there are quite a few in the bunch that are going to be hard to move, and with good reason. The OP coin, however, is a gem, and I see a handful of other possible gems in the lot - hard to say without seeing both sides.
Wow LostDutchman, that's a very cool addition (congrats) ... ... man, that looks like an enjoyable chore, sifting-through that pile of winners
I completely agree. This was several lots of good and bad and ugly that I unpacked and piled up. I enjoy the sorting and identification of each piece. That's the fun!
Ok guys... so some news to report. I have received several other packages and 1 did get flagged in US customs. It was opened and examined and then it was forwarded on to me complete. I would think that should put some closure on the legalities as the package was inspected and allowed to continue. my pile grows...