These are modern copper imitations of the
hyperpyron SBCV 2073 of
John III Vatatzes, with
fake ancient patinas.
Note that the reverses of these particular
types are not inverted, as they should be with genuine trachies, although another similar series of modern copies does have inverted reverses.
These latter
types are also found with gold or
fake gold coatings and are offered as hyperpyra. These are usually fairly easy to spot, particularly as the low
weight is a giveaway, but even so they are
still appearing on major
auction sites as genuine hyperpyra.
Ross G.
