Anyone recognize this piece? Roman *update: pics, opinions please

Pokermandude

For a friend who is auction hunting. This lot didn't sell in last week's sale, thought maybe he could snag a deal. I sure don't know what it is, looks Roman to me. Picture is poor, no reverse pic.

Thanks

bronzemat

Looks roman & of antonious pius

STLNATS

Portrait definitely looks like Antoninus Pius, who was emperor 138-161. Can't tell much else from the scan except the denomination is probably a sestertius (a bit smaller than a US half dollar) the largest roman bronze denomination. Hard to tell in the scan, but the end of the legend seems to end in TRP XVI which would date the coin to 152/3 AD.

Pokermandude

Thanks guys.

I compared the picture to some coins I could find at the vcoins mall. The size of the piece and legend seemed to match a few different As and Sestertii that I came across.

I told my buddy not to spend more than $35 on it, as long as the reverse doesn't look like crap. Should limit his (or my!) downside considerably. It actually looks to be in fairly decent shape, given the crappy image.

Pokermandude

Just got a text from him, he said he won it for $20. Pretty good score I am thinking. Will post pics at some point, will get you guys to correct me on my attempt at attributing it after I see it in hand

Pokermandude

I have this one in hand now. I'm pretty sure it's a fake, but here's some pictures and info to see if anyone else can confirm/deny, as I have little experience with fake ancients.

It weighs in at just 9.38g. Approximate diamted of 27mm. The coin isn't a uniform planchet, it is much thicker at the bottom of the reverse vs the top. It appears to have a very slight seam. Obverse looks okay to me, but the reverse looks a bit odd, crude in design. The woman appears to be sitting on a shapeless rock. There's 3 counterstamp-looking marks.

Now that I've taken and looked at the large pics, it just doesn't look right at all to me. Here they are:

theboz11

What is that counter stamped on the Rev.?

Pokermandude

<< <i>What is that counter stamped on the Rev.? >>



It appears to be three circles with two horizontal lines. As well as the initials "W L" with a circle in between the letters.

I was also thinking that there's a small chance that this is a contemporary counterfeit.

Pokermandude

One last bump to see if anyone can confirm/deny my suspicions. Thanks.

CIVITAS

It's not a contemporary counterfeit.

It is a modern counterfeit though.

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/WRL-Stamped-on-Coins-Reproduction-Made-by-Westair?ugid=10000000001878880

Pokermandude

Thanks, I figured much. I had never heard of WRL modern "reproductions" so the counterstamp was a mystery to me.

Sapyx

Yep, it's a Westair replica. Looks like someone attempted to remove the incriminating stamps, on one side by applying additional punches and on the other by gooping on some solder or something.