SICILY. Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny AR tetradrachm Time of Gelon I, 485-480 BC. Charioteer driving quadriga walking right, kentron in right hand, reins in both; Nike flying right above to crown horses, all on double exergual line, dotted border / ΣYR-A?O-ΣI-ON, head of Arethusa right, wearing taenia, pendant earring and two necklaces, hair in long straight beaded rows; four dolphins swimming clockwise around. Okay the first coin (above) is a wonderfully amazing example. But that's no surprise given it's pedigree and provenance, an unbelievable collection of some of the most amazing coins. But then it did sell for an eyewatering amount (90k) in 2021. All 17.28 gm. of it. The second coin.....displays the same archaic design, shows more signs of wear and is obviously not in the same state of preservation as the first coin. But then, it was also considerably cheaper. To my untrained eye, the obverse on both is identical except perhaps Nike's wings and left leg are more visible in the second coin. However, this could just be the strike, photography or toning. Even the legends on the reverse seem to be in exactly the same position, suggesting the exact same dies for obverse and reverse. Would love to hear what the experts think.
Although very, very close, I say not identical, & although close, the second appears more crude & certainly circulated. Waiting for someone to produce an overlay to compare these. (To me, it seems like a template was used to produce the dies, or perhaps the second is a close copy, or copy of a copy; read: fake)
@1934 Wreath Crown - you did not include the references. Both coins are Boehringer 41 (V26/R25) You can see the reference Die Munzen von Syrakus online at Sebastiano Maltese’s academia.edu page: https://unive.academia.edu/SebastianoMaltese?swp=rr-ac-43928659 Better image here: https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/pdfs/Syracuse_Boehringer_and_Tudeer.pdf The fist coin you show is in exceptional condition with some obverse die wear, but I think the second is also very nice with great eye appeal because of the toning
Not an "expert", but because I have some double-die matches in my collection I have experience in close analysis. (FWIW.) Anyway... I would say the 2 examples are double-die matched. NICE!
Why would you think it's a fake? Are you saying it's a cast copy? Has been part of a very elaborate collection and has been handled by individuals with enough experience in ancients to know a fake. I didn't buy it off eBay!!
Spot on Reference: HGC-2, 1304; Boehringer-Series IV, 41 (V26/R25); SNG ANS-7; Weber-1550 (same dies). NGC has described these as "Fine Style" which makes them somewhat more desirable.
The first example is from the Paramount collection so I shouldn't be too displeased with my acquisition then
Well first of all, you gave no provenance for your acquisition, and you used terms such as: I am not saying it's a fake, I am merely suggesting that , to me, they are not the exact same die, because of some measurements & comparisons I made based on the pics you provided. I'm still waiting for someone to post an overlay which will more accurately show the "seems to" issues. And there are areas on the second specimen which seem better/different than the prime example (ie, nike, for one). I guess another way to put it is that, if I was comparing the two, I would not have purchased the inferior specimen without additional provenance/info. which I don't believe you provided. You apparently have already acquired the coin & still have not divulged any provenance except to mention it was not an eBay purchase. (And I can promise you, there are very elaborate & museum collections that do contain fakes!) Don't take it personally; you asked for opinions & I gave mine.
@Silphium Addict, I know I said this before, but I love your avatar! - Still searching for the real thing!
Don't take it personally, but you did not define "expert" for this coin. Perhaps you only wanted one or two people to respond, if that. You don't know my level of expertise.
