Constantius siliqua ??forgery

Nap · May 1, 2015 9:42PM

Anyone else have doubts about this Constantius II siliqua on eBay?

Listing here

The seller is no fly-by-night newbie. But still he has sold coins that are from the same die/mold in April, March, and February

here,

here,

and here

This is quite a rare coin and unless part of a hoard is not likely to show up over and over in a short period. Also, the coins are from identical dies or casting molds, with all marks identical.

I hate to question one of the experts in ancient coins, but I think this should be open for discussion.

coffeyce · May 1, 2015 9:46PM

im not sure on ancients but if you see flags and its too good to be true I would leave it be. especially if it looks like hes mass producing them

Tookybandit · May 1, 2015 10:32PM

I do not know the series, but it looks way off to me. I put in a search on HA and found these.

Constantius II Siliqua

nicholasz219 · May 2, 2015 7:05AM

Why don't you just ask him? I would just flat out ask, "These are rare enough that it makes me wonder if you got four of these from an old collection or hoard because they are so close in detail. What gives?"

He does have a good reputation and thousands of sales on eBay so you would like to think it is on the up and up. But asking him could not hurt. People willing to spend $1000 on a coin like this should be asking him questions like above to clear any doubts before committing to the coin, IMHO.

Aethelred · May 2, 2015 11:24AM

There are more red flags here than at a military parade in Beijing.

Aethelred · May 2, 2015 11:26AM

NiceCurrency · May 2, 2015 11:33AM

<< There are more red flags here than at a military parade in Beijing. >>

Nap · May 2, 2015 1:00PM

<< There are more red flags here than at a military parade in Beijing. >>

Is there anything about the coin itself that, without knowledge of the other auctions, would make you suspicious?

The eBay account is associated with Dr. Lanz, a world renown expert in ancient coins. However I do not believe the good doctor personally scrutinizes every one of his company's eBay listings.

Nap · May 2, 2015 1:04PM

<< I do not know the series, but it looks way off to me. I put in a search on HA and found these.

Constantius II Siliqua >>

You are correct that it looks unusual for a Constantius II siliqua, but it is a rare type that probably has not need sold on Heritage before

If you look here and scroll down a little you will see another that looks similar. This type usually sells for considerably more than the more common portrait style

Aethelred · May 2, 2015 1:24PM

<< 

<< There are more red flags here than at a military parade in Beijing. >>

Is there anything about the coin itself that, without knowledge of the other auctions, would make you suspicious?

The eBay account is associated with Dr. Lanz, a world renown expert in ancient coins. However I do not believe the good doctor personally scrutinizes every one of his company's eBay listings. >>

Yes, to me the style does not appear to be correct for the period, in addition I do not like the way the surfaces look and the color looks odd.

nicholasz219 · May 5, 2015 8:51PM

Nap, did you ever get any closure with this question? I anxiously await any info you found out.

Nap · May 7, 2015 4:15AM

<< Nap, did you ever get any closure with this question? I anxiously await any info you found out. >>

I did contact the seller but did not receive a response.

nicholasz219 · May 7, 2015 4:43AM

Well I guess that is not good?

Constantius siliqua ??forgery

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