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What is this? Ancient fake?

BlackhawkBlackhawk Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
I got this piece in a bulk lot. The lot contained some European coins dated as far back as the 1600's, so I can't discount the chance that it's something older and not a modern copy.

It's about 30-31mm in diameter and weighs 18.1 grams. The planchet is not of uniform thickness and it is slightly bent...it is not magnetic and does not appear to be any sort of soft lead composition. The writing appears to be Greek to me, but I sure could be wrong. In some ways it appears to be cast, but it also exhibits wear so I believe that it was carried or in circulation for some time. There are marks on it that look like someone scraped on it at some time, but there is no evidence that the coin is plate over a base metal. Any ideas?...token, coin, fake?...orgin or subject?


image
image
"Have a nice day!"

Comments

  • newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭
    Looks like someone recarved an ancient coin, sort of like a hobo nickel.
  • BlackhawkBlackhawk Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭
    Looking at it again, I believe that you're correct Newsman...it sure looks like it was carved. Hmmm.
    "Have a nice day!"
  • BlackhawkBlackhawk Posts: 3,899 ✭✭✭
    A member of another coin forum provided a link to a coin forum thread about this type of piece...now if I could only read it. image

    Transylvania
    "Have a nice day!"
  • engravedengraved Posts: 185 ✭✭
    Looks like an interesting piece. Here's a link to a translated version via Google translate.

    Translated site
    Always interested in nice love tokens and engraved coins.
  • SapyxSapyx Posts: 2,263 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's very broadly imitative of an Ancient coin, but it's not - it's a fantasy. It's probably a copy of a copy of a copy...

    The obverse reads BASILEW SELEUKOU in Greek (except the second "S" looks like an "E", and the "K" looks like a "B". Presumably it's supposed to be King Seleukos I, founder of the Seleukid dynasty that ruled the eastern half of Alexander the Great's empire after he died.

    The reverse is, apparently, supposed to be a herd of elephants. Coins of Seleukos often feature a chariot drawn by elephants, and there are some that just show one elephant, but none with a whole herd like that.

    Greek coins of the period rarely put any legend or inscription on the obverse. And the crown is more mediaeval European in style, or perhaps Armenian, but not Seleukid.
    Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
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  • ccrdragonccrdragon Posts: 2,697 ✭


    << <i>The reverse is, apparently, supposed to be a herd of elephants >>



    I thought they were pigs.... image
    Cecil
    Total Copper Nutcase - African, British Ships, Channel Islands!!!
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  • ColinCMRColinCMR Posts: 1,482 ✭✭✭
    any thoughts on what the exergue refers to?
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