How are ancients authenticated?
topstuf
Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've owned VERY few. Some look "right" and some don't. There surely can't be enough specimens to use ...die identification... can there? Is it just more or less....eyeballing.... and instinct?
Are there any KNOWN "genuine" specimens? Or how would one even KNOW if it was "known" beyond just an opinion?
I sure don't understand the lack of major interest in them except for my question re authenticity and the shadow of doubt that would spoil it. They are sure neat and their HISTORY makes ALL other coins pale by comparison.
?????????
Are there any KNOWN "genuine" specimens? Or how would one even KNOW if it was "known" beyond just an opinion?
I sure don't understand the lack of major interest in them except for my question re authenticity and the shadow of doubt that would spoil it. They are sure neat and their HISTORY makes ALL other coins pale by comparison.
?????????
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Comments
Some of us do have a Major Interest in them.
Ancients have been collected for as long as there are coin collectors. After you've been at it for a while and see enough coins, you can begin to tell what is authentic and what is not. I suspect you already have some knack for it since you seem to have a few ancients that just don't look right. That is the first tell-tale giveaway.
The second is the 'fabric' of the coin. Although precious metals vary somewhat in composition (especially silver) you can often tell that a coin is made from the wrong metal.
Finally, you can look at the rim and other areas for Casting bubbles, and other signs. Another sure-fire giveaway.
Yes, most of my ancients do end up in slabs (a group comes back next week) and I do it more to preserve the surface quality and toning than I do to ensure authentication. I only do this for my higher quality silver and the very few killer Bronzes that I have...
I have a bad weakness for the Ancient Greek city states and lower Italy (Magna Gracia) and those wonderfully executed hand engraved dies.
They are more popular that you believe (around the world).
Welcome to a new adventure.
Ancients are authenticated just like any other coin collectible (without trying to sound funny or "smart," honest).
1. Literature - like Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC) or something less expensive (RIC retails for $1,500 for the whole set).
2. Experience - when you handle/view a lot of ancients, you can tell a "louse" a mile away.
3. Web sites: I recommend Forum Ancient Coins, especially
the Fake Coin Reports and the Message Board, and Wildwinds Database.
There is a lot of cast-fake and re-tooled garbage being sold on eBay...
"Certified/Slabbed" ancients are often mis-attributed (it is a running joke with insiders) so there are sometimes definite
cherry-picking possibilities there.
Hope this helped a little bit.
Kind Regards,
John
SFC, US Army (Ret.) 1974-1994
Seriously, that does help some. I ...suspected..... some mis-attribution on some of the slab stuff I've seen.
They certainly are tempting and the rarity vs. US is unquestioned. UNRECOGNIZED forever, possibly, but still unquestioned.
And you can still RESPECTABLY collect only what you LIKE! INCREDIBLE!!!