An Ancient Greek Coin

bobking

I had never seen so pretty a coin of Locri Opuntii like this one. But I doubt its authenticity since someone told me that there were some great victorian copies of this type of coin. Can anybody show me how to identify them? Thank you!

Text

CIVITAS

The style is wrong on that coin. The hair on Persephone is not right. The warrior's rendition is rather poor for what should be early Hellenistic art style. Have a look at a slew of genuine ones here:

http://www.cngcoins.com/Search.aspx?SEARCH_EXT=0&ITEM_DESC=lokris+stater&ITEM_INVENTORY_NUMBER=0&ITEM_LOT_NUMBER=0&IT[L=CNG

The other clue is that what would have been a $3000.00+ coin sold for $450.00. Ancients often go too cheap on eBay, but not THAT cheap.

bobking

Thank you, Josh! You are right, some antients on ebay are cheaper, but the level of risk is higher. I'm waiting for next CNG printed auction in 2007. There are usually many great coins at reasonable prices.