Sometimes I buy unusual and unclassified coins, and I tipically find similars on literature and sites. This one I bought some time ago, with no specification. I thought it could be a replica or sth, but was worth a try. Up to now I can’t find any similar coin. The observe may be Herakles or Zeus/Jupiter? Anyone can help?
The obverse does resemble Zeus. I suspect it is not ancient, though it likely is antique. I get a 19th century vibe off that. Just sayin'. Mind you, I have no idea, and am merely thinking out loud. I like it, and like the patina, though again, I suspect it is a more modern (Victorian era?) piece of some kind. But take that observation with the proverbial grain of salt.
If the moderators agree, it might be better to move this post to Ancient Coins were for sure you can get help,
Looks to be more of a medallion than a coin - no legends and looks like a larger module. I would tend to agree with an older replica - 19th century? Execution is rougher than the Greek coins of the Classical period (even the provincials, where style is more variable). Portrait on the reverse is especially flat and coarse. My guess is that the obverse looks more like some of the provincial portraits of Herakles rather than Zeus. Style is confusing, as obverse looks more Greek while the reverse looks more Roman?? The closest example of something like this in my own collection is a counterfeit / imitation of the Magna Grecian city of Orra. These coins are pretty scarce, so when I came across this coin, I really didn't know what to make of it. It looked like a 19th century imitation, not executed as nicely as a Paduan example. Like your example, the portrait on the reverse is decidedly cartoonish. I decided to buy it to see what it was. When I received the coin, it was clearly not a genuine ancient - the module was closer to an As or a Dupondius whereas the genuine coin would have been smaller, like an Ae3 or so. However, the copper was patinated, and there was verdigris (not bronze disease) all over the obverse and reverse, which didn't seem to be a totally modern counterfeit. I've since treated it to remove the verdigris (these are the seller's photos, apologies for the lack of contrast in the picture). I've still never seen anything else like this, but I suspect that it's probably not unique. Still, it would have an interesting story to tell, if I could get it to talk...
The same situation, romatist. An interesting coin, probably Victorian era replica, I was curious and bought for further research… Except yours would match an actual ancient coin and I cant find my coin’s “original”. And yes, to me the reverse looks like roman provincial representations of the Senate or sth.
