Alexander the Great

thestig

this coin is listed as a prototype, my question is did this coin ever become minted in gold or silver, would you consider it rare, or scarce?
what price for a nice example?


Drachma. Copper breaks through the high spots, including the eagle on the reverse.
Prototype: Sear Greek 6730 variety.


PS, was Alexander the only era with this particular seated zeuse?

Aethelred

No, this design was used for a long time after Alexander. My understanding is that if Zeus' legs are crossed (as in this example) it was issued after Alexander died.

thestig

This is what I had in mind, but couldn't find any with this same reverse, what do you think of this coin?
without seeing the front, could you figure out who is on the front?

I was thinking of buying this as my first ancient I don't think I dates bc ma bey 1000 ad. hopefully its older, any idea.

Thank you.

Aethelred

Well, my Greek is rusty, but the name to the right is Alexander. However, the legs are crossed so it does not appear to be a lifetime issue. I would guess about 323-250 BC would be about right. It looks very nice to me.

thestig

<< <i>Well, my Greek is rusty, but the name to the right is Alexander. However, the legs are crossed so it does not appear to be a lifetime issue. I would guess about 323-250 BC would be about right. It looks very nice to me. >>



Thank you. drum roll please. The unavailing. Does your opinion change on the date now?




what would be a fair price? Again thank you for helping.
All the ones I looked at don't have the bird cage on the reverse.

farthing

BTW, I like your handle!

Aethelred

Here is a near match I found on Wildwinds:



It is dated 275-270 BC from the Pella Mint. It was sold for $220 by CNG.

Hope that helps!

thestig

<< <i>Here is a near match I found on Wildwinds:



It is dated 275-270 BC from the Pella Mint. It was sold for $220 by CNG.

Hope that helps! >>



Thank you very much, I will check that sight out.
Is it safe to say this is either a counterfeit, or a different variety?

thestig

<< <i>BTW, I like your handle! >>



Thanks you, check it out...The Stig

Aethelred

<< <i>Is it safe to say this is either a counterfeit, or a different variety?
>>



No, the style and quality of engraving varies quite a bit among ancient coins of the same type. The one you are looking at looks fine to me. If you will PM me the name of the dealer who is offering it I can tell you what I know about him/her.

If you are new to ancient coins, as I assume you are, it is best to only buy from dealers with a solid rep who stand behind their coins.

johnsim03

This particular coin type is a popular one amongst the Toronto Group forgeries.

Here is an informative link at the Fake Ancient
Coin Reports, that you might want to check out.

If your seller is one of those listed (or some later user id) - Run away!

Here is a general list of purveyors of fakes:

Black List

This list, if bookmarked, will save you a lot of grief, as it is constantly updated.

Please note, an effective method I use is to first find out the diagnostics for an original piece (expecially the weight), along with general
signs of casting, etc., and then compare to the piece you are looking to buy.

John

earlwbollinger

If copper is showing through under the thin silver skin then it is a fake. They only made solid silver coinage way back then.
Granted somebody might have been making ancient counterfeits though. But usually they are more crude.

There was someone selling plastic museum souvineer replicas of ancient coins a while back too. So that coin may be plastic too.

thestig

<< <i>This is what I had in mind, but couldn't find any with this same reverse, what do you think of this coin?
without seeing the front, could you figure out who is on the front?

I was thinking of buying this as my first ancient I don't think I dates bc ma bey 1000 ad. hopefully its older, any idea.

Thank you.

>>




notice the lettering under chair, its not the same as the fakes, still up in the air about fake or real.

svessien

Hi Stig

If you're looking to uy your first ancient coin, I would advice you to start with cheaper coins.
These Alexander III type coins have been counterfeited in large numbers, good fakes that sell for good prices.

If you really want one (which I in case fully understand), buy one from vcoins, CNG, or other reliable auction houses.
Do not buy it on ebay, that would be taking too much chances, I think.

I think the coin looks very nice, but I'm not very much into those coins. I have one from the Alexandria mint, which I bought long time ago.
If I was to buy one of these Macedonian tetradrachms from that era, I'd choose a Phillip II lifetime issue from the Amphipolis mint. The mint and coinage enabling the rise of the Macedonian kingdom, and Alexanders conquests. But that's me :-)

Aethelred

If I didn't know a lot about ancients I would buy from vcoins.