If this is for real, what is it? Ancient European Gold Coin ?

AuldFartte

No, I won't bid on it because of the seller's lousy feedback rating, but I was wondering if this is a real coin, and, if so, what the heck is it

LINK

WhiteLighnin

PuddlePirate

You're going to have someone like Josh look at this one. I love the old stuff but this is out of my area of knowledge.

sumnom

"Possibly extremely rare."

lordmarcovan

"ALFRED REX". In clear, modern-style lettering.

Hahaha.

A total fantasy.

Looks like it might be real gold (or plated), though.

Askari

<< <i>I found this coin while going through a customer's hoard of junk and jewelry, coins and such things ... >>

I think that says it all. It looks too nice to be ancient; quality control for neither the minting process nor gold purity were extremely high in old Alfred's day. I suspect this is some modern imitation, perhaps gold or perhaps just bronze gilt in 24k gold. If he really "tested" it, I'd like to know what the test was and who performed it. Whether it looks like a historical piece, I'll have to leave to Josh or someone who is more knowledgeable about the period.

lordmarcovan

(edited out my commentary but I still say it's fake).

tbirde56

This is definitely not my area to voice a knowing opinion but I found it ironic that the planchet is very round and the design is crude and a bit offcenter. Ordinarily that irregular design is because of an irregular planchet and the crude minting techniques of the time. Looks fake to me.

Aethelred

That item does not date to the period of Alfred the Great. The dies were not engraved using medieval tools nor by someone with an even basic command of Old English. Please consider the following:

1. All of Alfred's coins were silver.
2. Alfred's name was spelled "AELFRED" or "ELFRED," but never "ALFRED."
3. The style of the lettering is not medieval.
4. The pellets used to make the border are not in keeping with what would be expected on a genuine medieval coin.
5. There are no known types of Alfred the Great that come close to resembling this item.
6. The reverse inscription "NSISNIVMDVX" has no meaning, it is gibberish.
7. Neither mint town or moneyer are named.

Also:

The seller has stated in other auctions that HE MAKES THINGS OUT OF GOLD!!!!

lordmarcovan

Toldja so.

Aethelred

Here is a real coin of Alfred the Great:

harasha

Upsidedown?

1jester

100% fake.

theboz11

Great Lessons in Detection, Common sense plays a large part in spotting fakes. Easy to do, IF Greed doesn't get you first Thanks.

MSD61

And look what do we have here? There are bids on it! What a surprise

AuldFartte

It looked too modern to me, too, but I thought I'd better ask.
Thanks for the lessons, guys !!!

CIVITAS

Vaguely looks like a souvenir from that event the SCA does in Pennsylvania. There's a few people there who apparently make fantasy medieval style coins for sale. I've never gone there (nor do I have the desire) but Ben has and picked up a few similar pieces.

SYRACUSIAN

If anyone out there knows anything, I would be glad to hear it and post it on this auction.




Someone has to email this guy and tell him that it's a souvenir. Will he post it though? Or should we have another hanging party?

Aethelred

I had thought about reporting him to eBay, but I doubt that would do any good.

PuddlePirate

In looking at that peice again I am wondering if it is from something like an SCA (Society of Creative Anachronism) fair. Probably just a plain old fake fantasy coin.