Widow's Mites...

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Tyler Miller, Apr 3, 2019.

  1. Tyler Miller

    Tyler Miller New Member

    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!
     

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  3. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    They just look genuine to me..
     
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  4. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

    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:

    47A9A21B-C7BE-4F31-906C-0FAF1AAEC18D.jpeg
     
  5. Ken Dorney

    Ken Dorney Yea, I'm Cool That Way...

    They are genuine, VF in my humble opinion but with surface issues.
     
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  6. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    Looks to me that the "sand" was applied to improve appearance.
     
  7. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Artist & Historian Supporter

    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.

    MITES3.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2019
  8. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    The coins in the Forum fake reports are not matches to the op coins
     
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  9. rrdenarius

    rrdenarius non omnibus dormio Supporter

    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.
    4.24.16 a 003.JPG fods mite s2.JPG
     
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  10. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    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! :D 1st. bought coin 001.JPG
     
  11. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    ju0090bb1599.jpg ju0100bb2532.jpg 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.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2019
  12. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    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!)

    upload_2019-4-3_22-52-45.jpeg
    JudaeaPontius Pilate 14-37 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus Hendin 1342


    upload_2019-4-3_22-53-51.png
    Judaea Pontius Pilate - Prutah Julia - IOYLIA KAICAPOC Julia Caesar - LIVIA wife of Augustus Hendin 1341


    upload_2019-4-3_22-58-32.jpeg
    Judaea Pontius Pilate 26-36 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus Hendin 1342


    upload_2019-4-3_22-59-38.jpeg
    JudaeaAlexander Janneaeus 103-76 BC AE Prutah Wheel Widows Mite Hendin 1350


    upload_2019-4-3_22-51-50.png
    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
     

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  13. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    They don't resemble the fabric of the Forum fakes. They look genuine to me. Who did you buy them from?
     
  14. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    wow!..really??..this is the only one i have Brian, but it's the one that started it all :)
     
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  15. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  16. Johndakerftw

    Johndakerftw Mr. Rogers is My Hero

    Widow’s Mites are my fave ancient coins!

    DB217B88-7932-401C-8086-E9108DBAA8C3.jpeg

    Erin
     
  17. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    A couple of mine...

    AJ4.jpg normal_AJ3.jpg
     
  18. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Mine:

    [​IMG]
    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.
     
  19. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Artist & Historian Supporter

    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.

    EMOJI'S.jpg


    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.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2019
  20. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Artist & Historian Supporter

    That looks familiar :woot:
     
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  21. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    I think this is a common reaction of any coin collector with any non collector.
     
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