Coin but from where and how old?

Eu_citzen · Oct 5, 2008

Please follow link:

http://eucitzen.bilddagboken.se/p/show.html?id=276132022&directlink=1

http://eucitzen.bilddagboken.se/p/show.html?id=276132791&directlink=1

If links don't work I'll have to try again..

Any info on the coin?

I got it on a market for approx 69 USD. The lad had no idea what it was I think.

Monty · Oct 5, 2008

I'm not positive but I think that is one coin that was counterfeited. Saw one like it on here not long ago. Someone with more knowledge can confirm. Monty

dex378 · Oct 5, 2008

Monty said:
I'm not positive but I think that is one coin that was counterfeited. Saw one like it on here not long ago. Someone with more knowledge can confirm. Monty

I am sorry but I agree with Monty. I think the seller knew exactly what he had.

CRUSADER · Oct 5, 2008

Should be ancient Greece circa 200BC if its real. I'm rubbish with foriegn stuff, this is as close as I'll get...

Eu_citzen · Oct 6, 2008

Hello folks, yes indeed could be Monty. Question is how I do confirm if it is real of not?

CRUSADER I think it is from the area of Greece or Macedonia or close by.

Monty · Oct 6, 2008

About the only way to confirm it if real or not is to take it to a reputable coin dealer. As I recall, if it is real it is worth about $12,000 U.S. But the one in the picture is in nearly perfect condition and it would seem logical that a coin that old would not be in that good a condition? The picture of the one I saw on here that supposidly sold for the big money was tarnished. I wish I knew the link, someone jump in and help me. Monty

Fast_Dave · Oct 8, 2008

I don't know enough about Greek coins to speak on authenticity, but the coin seems to be one of the Baktrian kings Agathokles. I've attached a picture from Wildwinds coin site. The 2nd closest is a Baktrian coin from Diodotes II which has the same figures, but doesn't follow the lettering pattern.

I should note the text accompanying the picture said it was a tetradrachm issued from 185-170 BC, Obverse head of Diodotus I (commemorative issue) reverse Zeus advancing left brandishing thunderbolt with eagle at feet and wreath over eagle

Eu_citzen · Oct 12, 2008

Dave I took out the coin to compare with the pictures you posted...
The lettering seems to fit, it is just worn and hard to tell some letters on the pictures I linked to.

Most things seem more compressed and tight together in comparison to the pictures of yours.

Else everything fits.

Thanks buddy!

I'm looking around for a good place to ID if it's real or not, my father should know since he does or rather did collect coins a while back.

gilmerman · Oct 12, 2008

I'm hoping that its real friend.

Eu_citzen · Oct 13, 2008

Well if it is real I won't be sorry but if it is fake it does not matter. I like the design of the coin anyways.

Later my friend at school now.

Regards,
Eu

Oroblanco · Oct 19, 2008

Neat coin, and I hope that it is genuine but it has a few indications that it could be fake - for one it looks to be nearly perfectly round, which most ancient coins are not. The details seem to be lacking too, but it is not possible to say it is fake based on just those two factors.

I would suggest sending it to David Sear, widely acknowledged as "the" expert in ancient Greek coins (he has authored several books on them) the fee for a basic certification is $40, well worth it if the coin turns out to be genuine but would feel like forty bucks lost if it is fake. Here is the website:
http://www.davidrsear.com/certification.html
Mr Sear also offers a detailed certification for $50.

I would say Baktria too, my eyes are not good enough to make out all the letters but on the reverse the letters
"BASILEUS" (in greek letters of course not English) means "king" or "lord" and on the obverse to the right of the head is likely the name of the ruler, in this case honoring the deceased Diodotus but many possibilities - the reverse does seem to have the name "AGATHOKLES" but your coin is missing either an "O" or the "theta" which is an "O" with a bar in the center. Missing a letter or mis-spelling is not too unusual for ancient coins but is another possible red flag.

One more possible "red flag" is that the lettering on the obverse is in straight parallel lines running vertically on the coin, like many other Greek coins but unlike most Baktrian types which have the lettering running around the rim if they have lettering on the obverse at all. You can browse the images on Wildwinds.com, the link for Baktrian kings is http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/baktria/t.html unfortunately Wildwinds does not filter out fakes, just copying the images posted in various online auctions and sales so among the genuine images are mixed a few frauds. (I don't blame Wildwinds for this, fakes have been a problem with ancient coins for many years and in some cases it takes an expert to tell the difference.) There are many variants of Baktrian coins so your coin might be an unusual example that does not quite match the photos online.

If it were my coin I would pack it up and send it off to David Sear to have it examined and certified. I do hope it turns out to be genuine.

Good luck and good hunting amigos, I hope you all find the treasures that you seek.
Oroblanco

Eu_citzen · Oct 20, 2008

Ah Hola mi amigo Oro!

Very good info buddy, thanks!

I am looking around for different places to send it and I do think it would be easier to keep it in Sweden.
It would be easier for me you see.

I will though look into this David Sear it seems like he knows this stuff as you say Oro.

It seems worn and I think that could also have to do with the loss of detail. But indeed it could be fake.

Good info there Oro, keep at it! :thumbsup:

Good Hunting!
Eu

Oroblanco · Oct 20, 2008

Thanks for the kind words amigo, and your coin very well might be genuine for those Baktrian coins have a LOT of variants and differences even within similar series. Good luck and good hunting to you, I hope you will keep us posted when you find out for sure.
your friend,
Oroblanco