Help please with ancient coins

scotto · Jul 5, 2009

Just recently took a trip, and an old family friend showed me these coins that they inherited. I was shocked to see how old they are, but I need help in IDing them with some date estimates and approximate values. So I snapped a few pics and told them I'd ask here! Thanks!

(that shiny coin on the bottom is a new quarter for scale)

Montana Jim · Jul 5, 2009

I'm looking into it, but the owl coin looks like, um, NOT like the authentic coins.

They all look identically (bottom four) worn and petina'd... this lends itself to a collection of imitations, replicas, fakes, or forgeries... no doupt old, but maybe not authentic... Still researching.

The top two look like this one in the link... but I can't read it

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/monetaromana/corrisp/a022/a022.htm

scotto · Jul 5, 2009

Thanks MJ for the info!

I was wondering about 'replicas' myself, and I actually have a replica similar to the owl coin reverse.

The guy this person inherited them from was very wealthy, and he had a lot of old US coins that were legit, and even though they could be replicas (and somebody scammed him or something), they would have had to in the mid-60's and with all the old and valuable things he did collect, it doesn't seem like he would do the replica thing. But that's just an opinion.

The person who had them said "just take them with you and find out," but we were visiting from 800 miles away and I didn't want to be responsible for them.

Montana Jim · Jul 5, 2009

Well... there are some smart folks here ( I aint one of 'em ) ... I hope you get some better help!

AU24K · Jul 6, 2009

I agree with Montana, probably "copies". Look closely for the word "copy" on them. I've heard that at a certain point of time, replicas were required to put that on copies. If there is no sign of that, then they might still be copies, but will be older than that law. Also look closely at the rims to see if there is a ring around that would indicate casting. I hope they are real, but I would be skeptical. They would definitely look good in a display. Good luck.
Scott

Mackaydon · Jul 6, 2009

IMO, the highest value of the 'Athenian Owl' may be in its conversational value; followed by its historical (educational) value; followed by its intrinsic value.