Old coin

SCUFFLES

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Apr 27, 2019
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Can anyone verify if this coin is real or fake, and how much it would be worth. Thanks

12FEFB95-B6CF-4A99-8FF2-8F9BB298561F.jpeg

5CEDC468-8097-4493-8640-55ED806A5136.jpeg
 

The Rebel

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Detail looks way too good to be a real coin, so guessing it's a fake.
 

Blackfoot58

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Jan 11, 2023
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It looks like a drummer, with pigtails, sitting on a stool while holding a giant pair of sunglasses. 😆 I’m not familiar with any such coin. Good luck though!
 

Red-Coat

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Dec 23, 2019
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It looks like a copy of a Kings of Parthia drachm. How did you acquire it, and does it have a mould seam around the edge (usually the giveaway for fakes and copies)?

These coins have a ‘seated archer’ reverse with a number of variations on the ‘Royal formula’ as the legend in very stylised Greek characters, but typically:

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ, meaning "[coin] of King of Kings Arsaces, the benefactor (Euergetes), the just (Dikaios), the illustrious (Epiphanes), friend of the Greeks (Philhellen)". Like this:

Royal Formula.jpg

{Attribution]: Starnutoditopo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56359966

The name “Arsaces” indicates the Arsacid dynasty, with Artabanus I being the first to use the “King of Kings” title in 127 BC. You can get a feel for what a genuine coin might sell for (dealer prices) at the link below. There isn’t huge variation between the various rulers and prices aren’t that high because the coins were produced in fairly large numbers:

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/co...field&countitems=47&changeDisplayList=&page=1
 

Mackaydon

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Initially, I have no problem with the coin. It appears to be minted during the reign of Artabanus IV (10-38 AD).
Take a look at a real one and note the similarities.
Don in SoCal.
 

Red-Coat

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Dec 23, 2019
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Initially, I have no problem with the coin. It appears to be minted during the reign of Artabanus IV (10-38 AD).
Take a look at a real one and note the similarities.

I think the jury's still out here, and I'm still leaning towards 'copy', but I would like to see a view of the edge and any possible sign of an edge seam.

The 'similarities' are inevitable on many copies, since they're often produced in moulds cast from genuine coins.

I declined to give a view on which of the Parthian kings it might be from since several of them used essentially the same portrait and reverse design/legend. For example, note that although the coin linked above is labelled as from Artabanus IV, the fuller description says that it's also attributed to Artabanus II (because of those kinds of uncertainty).
 

Blackfoot58

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If it is authentic, it’s in sensational condition. What is the provenance on it? Family heirloom, bought on-line, etc.? More info usually helps. Thanks.
 

SHAWANIDetecter77

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May 23, 2023
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After reading the brothers' comments and seeing the pictures of the real currency, especially those shown on eBay, I believe that the currency is 100% original.
 

CoinsAndThings

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Interesting...I'm unfamiliar with drachmas or whatever it might be. Following along.
 

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