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Real Ancient or Modern Fake

I found this in the bottom of an old bag of metal detecting finds that I bought from a dealer ages ago. Is this real or a modern fake of some sort?


Comments

  • sellitstoresellitstore Posts: 2,945 ✭✭✭✭✭

    First, I'd like to identify it or what it is supposed to be.

    It looks like a highly stylized base metal copy of an Athenian Tetradrachm. I'm seeing an owl and "OE" of the inscription. Is this what it's supposed to be?

    Collector and dealer in obsolete currency. Always buying all obsolete bank notes and scrip.
  • VasantiVasanti Posts: 455 ✭✭✭✭

    @sellitstore said:
    First, I'd like to identify it or what it is supposed to be.

    It looks like a highly stylized base metal copy of an Athenian Tetradrachm. I'm seeing an owl and "OE" of the inscription. Is this what it's supposed to be?

    I have absolutely no clue.

  • John ConduittJohn Conduitt Posts: 420 ✭✭✭
    edited January 14, 2024 4:38AM

    It's surely meant to be reminiscent of an Attica Owl. But it really isn't trying to be one.

  • rsei0120rsei0120 Posts: 127 ✭✭

    Is it the same type as this one?, the material looks the same as all, Just asking, I am new

  • rsei0120rsei0120 Posts: 127 ✭✭

    Justinian I the Great (AD527-565)

  • tcollectstcollects Posts: 1,081 ✭✭✭✭✭

    it looks like a correct late Athenian minor of some kind

  • VasantiVasanti Posts: 455 ✭✭✭✭

    @tcollects said:
    it looks like a correct late Athenian minor of some kind

    Doing a little reading, I’m wondering if it’s a Danubian/Balkan Celt imitation piece of some sort. That would make sense as I’m guessing most of the material it was piled in with was from that region.

  • tcollectstcollects Posts: 1,081 ✭✭✭✭✭

    cool coin, excellent ID

  • sellitstoresellitstore Posts: 2,945 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "It looks like a highly stylized base metal copy of an Athenian Tetradrachm"

    Good job in figuring out specifically which one. I don't have the expertise to know of all of the imitations.

    The Athenian tetradrachm was one of the most copied designs in the ancient world and they circulated for hundreds of years. Alexander the Great tetradrachms were very widely imitated, too. Both were originally struck in silver but imitations are often debased. Imitation is more accurate than copy, as copy implies modern. Please excuse my use of "copy" instead of the better word, "imitation".

    Collector and dealer in obsolete currency. Always buying all obsolete bank notes and scrip.
  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,267 ✭✭✭✭✭

    what is your definition of modern?

    I don't think you can get that dark corrosion in less than a year. But maybe you could paint something on and cook it to get that 'look'.

    If modern is anything made in the last 200 years of a 2000 year old item, then probably need more tests

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