Hi, I'm new to ancient coin collecting. I just bought these Widow's Mites from reputable sources and I was wondering if they are authentic and what grade these might be? They seem quite a bit better than a lot featured on ebay. Also should I go for cleaning them? Forgive my lack of knowledge, these purchases are my first step into the coin world. Thanks!
I wouldn’t be able to distinguish a genuine Prutah from a fake one. Certainly @Deacon Ray could give you his opinion on this subject. Here are some copies from Forum Fake Coin Reports:
Reply to @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix — I think I'll have to go along with FORVM's opinion on these being reproductions. The specimens in your/FORVM's photo appear to be too thick and smooth edged. They're interesting though. Here are some that I purchased through the L. Alexander Wolfe Company in Jerusalem. See how thin and irregularly shaped they look by comparison.
Welcome @Tyler Miller . I like this coin type because they have one of the best stories to go with an ancient coin. It is interesting that we think the Star & Anchor Prutah of Alexander Jannaeus, 108 - 76 BC, is the coin most likely mentioned by Jesus in 30 AD. The coin circulated for a long time in Judea and could have been one of the coins. I have purchased many and given away most.
idk..they look ok to me...welcome to ancients @Tyler Miller ..these will be most likely lll mutarum coins cause they're like Lays potato chips...can't eat just one ...this is the 1st coin i ever bought, so you're doing good!
There are mllions of these coins occurring in thousands of shapes and sizes. Thick, thin, round, square --- each will be found in genuine coins ranging from decent looking to hardly recognizable. The three shown here do look like they have detail under the dirt but the rough surfaces don't look like they will be as much improved as just changed by cleaning. Coin cleaning is a separate hobby from collecting. I am not a good cleaner. The important first step is telling which coins will respond to which cleaning techniques and which will be best left as they are. Good luck.
I have a bunch of those $5, but I do not have that one... cool, Greg! —————————— Welcome to the Ancients Forum of CT @Tyler Miller ! I hope you find this a fun and relaxing place! My Prutahs for comparison. I am by no means an expert in this area (or any other coin area... just fun collecting ancients!) JudaeaPontius Pilate 14-37 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus Hendin 1342 Judaea Pontius Pilate - Prutah Julia - IOYLIA KAICAPOC Julia Caesar - LIVIA wife of Augustus Hendin 1341 Judaea Pontius Pilate 26-36 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus Hendin 1342 JudaeaAlexander Janneaeus 103-76 BC AE Prutah Wheel Widows Mite Hendin 1350 Judaea Claudius w-Britannicus CE 41-54 Æ Prutah 17mm 2.8g Antonius Felix-procurator Dated RY 14 54 CE 2-crossed shields spears - Palm tree BPIT K AI L IΔ date Hendin 1348
They don't resemble the fabric of the Forum fakes. They look genuine to me. Who did you buy them from?
Deacon Ray, are you referring to the coins in the photo that Ocatarinetabellatchitchix posted? Those coins look very different from the ones that Tyler Miller posted. The series of parallel abrasion lines in the bottom half of the top OP coin suggests to me that it is genuine. Can't see why anyone would bother adding a detail like that to a cast copy. As an long-time ancient coin cleaner, I most likely would not clean the OP coins. I doubt that removing the sand would improve their appearance. In fact, you would probably lose a lot of detail in the process. I recommend that you enjoy them as they are.
Mine: Alexander Jannaeus (Yehonatan), 103-76 BC. Judean Æ Prutah, 1.85 g, 13.7 mm. Jerusalem mint. Obv: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΧΑΝΔΡΟΥ around anchor. Rev: Star of eight rays between which Hebrew legend, "Yehonatan the King," all surrounded by diadem. Refs: Meshorer Group K; Sear 6087; Hendin 1150.
Welcome, Tyler! Yes, I believe your Judaean coins are authentic. I started with Widow's Mites also. Now I have bags of them. I thought I’d be able to give them to friends and acquaintances and they would be amazed and thrilled. The cartoon below speaks the reality. Don’t get discouraged! Occasionally you will run into folks who are amazed at being able to hold a coin they believe to be ancient, in their hands. The important thing is to amaze yourself.