Counterfeit elephant denarius?

astrorat · November 11, 2014 9:05AM

This one looks off. Thoughts?

lordmarcovan · November 11, 2014 2:41PM

I agree, it does look a little bit off, but not enough for me to know for sure, personally. The lettering looks a little wonky, but who's to say that's not a characteristic of the ancient engraving.

I dunno, but I would've tread very carefully on that one, for sure.

TIF2 · November 11, 2014 7:29PM

Among other signs, the junctions of the devices and flan look soft/melted. I say cast fake.

lordmarcovan · November 11, 2014 8:01PM

I think that might be what made the lettering look weird to me.

astrorat · November 11, 2014 8:27PM

What triggered it for me was the lack of distinct separation of the devices and the fields on the obverse and reverse. Also, CAESAR just looks too crude, but I don't have enough experience with these pieces to recognize the various engravers' styles.

The flan, however, looks okay with just a little pitting. So, if I had to guess, I would say struck with transfer dies on a "correctly" prepared flan that was perhaps "weathered" a bit.

Edited to add ... nevermind about the crude appearing CAESAR, I just reviewed a few authentic pieces with a similarly "crude" CAESAR.

astrorat · November 11, 2014 8:30PM

<< <i>Among other signs, the junctions of the devices and flan look soft/melted. I say cast fake. >>

Thanks. You have far greater experience than me with these pieces, so I won't argue. Above I just wanted to write my thoughts out for comment.

NiceCurrency · November 12, 2014 2:33AM

I wouldn't buy a raw julius caesar on eBay, this one looks weird

CIVITAS · November 12, 2014 7:34AM

Cast forgery, for sure.

Hussulo · November 13, 2014 3:21AM

I'm not liking the surfaces of that one.

Counterfeit elephant denarius?

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