Classical Numismatics Discussion
  Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Support Our Efforts To Serve The Classical Numismatics Community - Shop At Forum Ancient Coins

New & Reduced


Author Topic: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled  (Read 6745 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline OldMoney

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1289
  • My Site! www.oldmoney.com.au
    • Walter Holt's Old Money
Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« on: September 05, 2018, 07:26:50 am »
Vandalism!

About a year ago this coin was sold by a European dealer. It appears to have
been subsequently taken to the "Eastern Mediterranean" and vandalised.
There really is no better word for it.

Compare the relatively untouched, although worn, surfaces of the top, original
condition coin, to the now severely scratched, scraped, and tooled surfaces
(chiseled?) that have been newly applied to - or inflicted upon - the lower piece.

What is wrong with these people!

- Walter
Coins of Ephesus
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/ephesuscoins
Walter Holt's Old Money - Ancient Coins
https://www.oldmoney.com.au
Sydney, Australia

Offline djmacdo

  • Tribunus Plebis 2017
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4483
  • I love this forum!
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2018, 09:44:45 am »
Amen.  May the vandals have the same inflicted upon them.

Offline Brennos

  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 184
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2018, 02:25:35 am »
I'm not sure that the coin has been tooled. I think that they could only have added that kind of yellowish sand (fake "desert patina" ?) to enhance the reliefs.  
It's often hard to compare photos (different light, angle etc...)

Offline PtolemAE

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1941
  • PtolemyBronze.com
    • The PtolemAE Project - Ptolemaic Bronzes
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2018, 07:22:24 pm »
I'm not sure that the coin has been tooled. I think that they could only have added that kind of yellowish sand (fake "desert patina" ?) to enhance the reliefs.  
It's often hard to compare photos (different light, angle etc...)

Looks possible - just something to fill in certain bits and make some apparent shadowy contrast.  If it's the typical filler material which resembles modeling clay it will easily rinse off with a wet q-tip.  It does seem to be filling in around edges that seem visible on the first set of pictures but perhaps some areas now filled in were made 'deeper' or 'sharper' (edges) by mechanical means. 

PtolemAE

Offline djmacdo

  • Tribunus Plebis 2017
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4483
  • I love this forum!
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2018, 08:17:07 am »
Model makers' flat hobby paint, available in a variety of sand and dirt colors, is also often used by fakers and it is not easily removed.

I think there has been some tooling around the base of the mountain and around the bust of the farther figure on the obverse.  Certainly the coin is now less honest than it was.

Offline OldMoney

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1289
  • My Site! www.oldmoney.com.au
    • Walter Holt's Old Money
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2018, 01:30:29 pm »
I'm not sure that the coin has been tooled.

It is disappointing that you cannot see what should be patently obvious. May I
make the sincere suggestion that you take some extra time to educate yourself
further, and become even more familiarised with the subject matter that at
present. Allow me to elucidate further.

I showed the original image for comparison, and the surfaces on that image are
clearly a little rough, and the devices quite worn overall. Now compare that with
the gouged and chiseled areas on the adjacent image.

The mere addition of some yellow paint (or whatever it may be) does highlight or
enhance the outlines of the images, but it was previously severely damaged by
scraping around the edges and around the outlines of those images. There are
'striations' across the surfaces, and gouges into and around the main depictions,
on both sides.

I find it difficult to understand how something so obvious cannot be immediately
seen and recognised instantly by anyone and everyone. The fact that this is not
so, both scares me that collectors are not doing more to learn about such things
for themselves in order to prevent being deceived or 'ripped-off', and it allows
me to offer what I can here in order to change that (by showing such examples).

In the below images, you will see that I have place a number of arrows where
there are obvious signs of gouging and tooling. The problem I had was that there
was not enough space for all of the arrows I wanted to use, and so you may have
to fill in some of the gaps yourselves.

Anyone who still cannot see that which is patently obvious in these images, needs
to visit their local coin club, their friendly ancients dealer, attend a few coin shows,
and do more to learn as much as possible about these matters.

This is not one of the more (in)famous 19th century (etc.) professional works, this
is quite amateurish, poorly conceived and horribly executed. It is offensive to the
numismatist, the historian, and the artist in all of us. It is simply vandalism.

Please have another, very close look at the surfaces on both coins, and compare
again the original, with the latter. Details have not only been enhanced, but added
where there was little or nothing there before. Look at ALL of the coin. Good luck!

- Walter
Coins of Ephesus
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/ephesuscoins
Walter Holt's Old Money - Ancient Coins
https://www.oldmoney.com.au
Sydney, Australia

Offline glebe

  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1338
    • Glebe Coins
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2018, 09:09:52 pm »
I'm confused - which one is supposed to be the original coin?

Ross G.

Offline glebe

  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1338
    • Glebe Coins
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2018, 09:48:37 pm »
Evidently the yellow coin is the later version.
And yes, when you blow the images up the tooling by punches is obvious - particularly to enhance the dotted border on the left of the reverse, and along the outlines of the mountains.

Ross G.

Offline Brennos

  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 184
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2018, 02:06:21 am »
Ok , but it remains a very light tooling...

What i call an horror and an outrageous tooling, smoothing and repatinating is that :
 

Offline djmacdo

  • Tribunus Plebis 2017
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4483
  • I love this forum!
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2018, 08:19:49 am »
It was a nice coin originally--and now, faked!  Terrible.

Offline Dino

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • IMPERATOR
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 1521
  • Anyone have change for a hemidrachm?
    • My Gallery
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2018, 11:41:18 am »
I'm not sure that the coin has been tooled.

It is disappointing that you cannot see what should be patently obvious. May I
make the sincere suggestion that you take some extra time to educate yourself
further, and become even more familiarised with the subject matter that at
present. Allow me to elucidate further.

I showed the original image for comparison, and the surfaces on that image are
clearly a little rough, and the devices quite worn overall. Now compare that with
the gouged and chiseled areas on the adjacent image.

The mere addition of some yellow paint (or whatever it may be) does highlight or
enhance the outlines of the images, but it was previously severely damaged by
scraping around the edges and around the outlines of those images. There are
'striations' across the surfaces, and gouges into and around the main depictions,
on both sides.

I find it difficult to understand how something so obvious cannot be immediately
seen and recognised instantly by anyone and everyone. The fact that this is not
so, both scares me that collectors are not doing more to learn about such things
for themselves in order to prevent being deceived or 'ripped-off', and it allows
me to offer what I can here in order to change that (by showing such examples).

In the below images, you will see that I have place a number of arrows where
there are obvious signs of gouging and tooling. The problem I had was that there
was not enough space for all of the arrows I wanted to use, and so you may have
to fill in some of the gaps yourselves.

Anyone who still cannot see that which is patently obvious in these images, needs
to visit their local coin club, their friendly ancients dealer, attend a few coin shows,
and do more to learn as much as possible about these matters.

This is not one of the more (in)famous 19th century (etc.) professional works, this
is quite amateurish, poorly conceived and horribly executed. It is offensive to the
numismatist, the historian, and the artist in all of us. It is simply vandalism.

Please have another, very close look at the surfaces on both coins, and compare
again the original, with the latter. Details have not only been enhanced, but added
where there was little or nothing there before. Look at ALL of the coin. Good luck!

- Walter

I am also not sure this coin has been tooled.  They've clearly added some sandy looking material for contrast.  Those pictures were taken at different times, different angles, different exposures.

I'm not saying it hasn't been tooled, I'm saying that those who are saying it has clearly been tooled are going too far in my opinion.  Even the

We know they've added the fake patina.  That's all that's clear to me.  The "scraping" could be brush strokes for the fake patina

We could tell more if we could see the coin in hand.  Sometimes we read too much into photos.

Offline OldMoney

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1289
  • My Site! www.oldmoney.com.au
    • Walter Holt's Old Money
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2018, 12:28:33 pm »
I cannot agree!

Quote
The "scraping" could be brush strokes for the fake patina.

Not a chance, and it may be absurd to suggest so! You have to properly examine
the surfaces of the coin as shown in the images. You can see the high points and the
low points, and the significant changes between the two images.

Quote
We could tell more if we could see the coin in hand.  Sometimes we read too much into photos.

Yes, we could tell more with the coin in hand. However, to deny that which is patently
obvious is almost beyond my understanding, and greatly disappointing. You have to
educate yourself on all facets of coin manufacture, wear, patination, and, among many
other things, what is original and what is not. I recommend everyone does this.

One does not "read too much" into photos, one examines that which is presented and
makes clear and obvious determinations appropriately. There may be things about which
we can speculate, but here there is really no doubt if one is being honest. There should
be no need to make feeble excuses for such things, these actions need to be called out
for what they are - vandalism.

There are scratches and scrapes, as well as divots and damage. There are areas that
have been removed and filled with yellow 'paint'. You can see, clearly, flat areas that
now have a chasm carved into them. I supplied larger images with multiple arrows so
that these things could be examined and viewed clearly. Anyone who cannot see this
needs to be educated further on the subject of ancient coins. The evidence is clear.

Thanks for the support Mac.

- Walter
Coins of Ephesus
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/ephesuscoins
Walter Holt's Old Money - Ancient Coins
https://www.oldmoney.com.au
Sydney, Australia

Offline Arados

  • Comitia Curiata
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 1717
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2018, 03:12:12 am »
I agree with Walter and Mac,

This coin has been tooled and repatinated with paint, the enhancements are blatently obvious regardless of photographic angles or exposure. The lower eyelids have a more defined curvage and the hair manipulated into thinner strands. These are the areas i immediately noticed when looking at both sets of images.

Edit: I am reffering to the Brennos coin.

Offline paparoupa

  • Parasitica Cliens
  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 316
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2018, 10:37:56 am »
 ::) current bid is already 70% more than the estimate, Walter why didn't you notify the auction house, and in any case the owner is also a member of this board and I can assure you he has been very sensible and sensitive to such issues in the past, unlike some german dealers...

Offline glebe

  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1338
    • Glebe Coins
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2018, 06:35:13 pm »
I agree with Walter and Mac,

This coin has been tooled and repatinated with paint, the enhancements are blatently obvious regardless of photographic angles or exposure. The lower eyelids have a more defined curvage and the hair manipulated into thinner strands. These are the areas i immediately noticed when studying both sets of images.

This refers to the Brennos coin, not the Mt Ararat coin which is the subject of this thread.

Ross G.

Offline OldMoney

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1289
  • My Site! www.oldmoney.com.au
    • Walter Holt's Old Money
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #15 on: September 25, 2018, 07:26:58 pm »
Thank you for your sage advice paparoupa, leave it with me.

- Walter
Coins of Ephesus
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/ephesuscoins
Walter Holt's Old Money - Ancient Coins
https://www.oldmoney.com.au
Sydney, Australia

Offline Dino

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • IMPERATOR
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 1521
  • Anyone have change for a hemidrachm?
    • My Gallery
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #16 on: October 02, 2018, 09:41:49 am »
I cannot agree!

Quote
The "scraping" could be brush strokes for the fake patina.

Not a chance, and it may be absurd to suggest so! You have to properly examine
the surfaces of the coin as shown in the images. You can see the high points and the
low points, and the significant changes between the two images.

Quote
We could tell more if we could see the coin in hand.  Sometimes we read too much into photos.

Yes, we could tell more with the coin in hand. However, to deny that which is patently
obvious is almost beyond my understanding, and greatly disappointing. You have to
educate yourself on all facets of coin manufacture, wear, patination, and, among many
other things, what is original and what is not. I recommend everyone does this.

One does not "read too much" into photos, one examines that which is presented and
makes clear and obvious determinations appropriately. There may be things about which
we can speculate, but here there is really no doubt if one is being honest. There should
be no need to make feeble excuses for such things, these actions need to be called out
for what they are - vandalism.

There are scratches and scrapes, as well as divots and damage. There are areas that
have been removed and filled with yellow 'paint'. You can see, clearly, flat areas that
now have a chasm carved into them. I supplied larger images with multiple arrows so
that these things could be examined and viewed clearly. Anyone who cannot see this
needs to be educated further on the subject of ancient coins. The evidence is clear.

Thanks for the support Mac.

- Walter

Suffice it so say that we disagree.  I believe that it's important to see the coin in hand rather than relying on a low resolution poorly lit photo that may not show all the details.  You do not.  So be it. 

To call it "clear and obvious" however (and so be at least slightly insulting about it as well) goes too far. 

Offline Dino

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • IMPERATOR
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 1521
  • Anyone have change for a hemidrachm?
    • My Gallery
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #17 on: October 02, 2018, 10:42:18 am »
An illustration for you.

Tools:

One 1999 US nickel.
One 1979 US quarter
One iphone 7 phone camera.
One cup of CocaCola.
One Sharpie marker.
One eyeglass cleaning cloth.

All photos taken with same camera.
Different lighting.
Same resolution.

Soaked coins in coke to brighten them up a bit.  Colored the reverse with a sharpie and retook the photos.

The second photo of the quarter is with the sharpie colored surface but you can't really even tell that it is black due to lighting. 

In the same photo it certainly looks like there's more detail in the wings than the first.  The body looks like it has much greater relief as well.

Look at the third photo of the quarter.  The eagle is standing on a rocket.  The third photo is the only one where you can really see the lines running along the length of the rocket.  They are invisible in the first photo.  I didn't tool them in.  Same coin.  Different photo. 

Let's go to the nickels.  Second nickel looks like it has scratches.  It's just the cloth wiping away sharpie. 

In short, all these coins "show" the indicia that Walter is willing to use to condemn the originally posted coin.  Yet, there is no tooling.  Jut a sharpie and different lighting.

I'm not saying you cannot ever tell if a coin is tooled by a photo.  I think we all agree the Brennos coin is tooled.

But, when you are looking at the extremely minor differences that Walter highlights AND the coin has been slapped with paint, I don't think you can reach a definitive conclusion.  And to suggest that anyone who has a different opinion "needs to be educated" or that "the evidence is clear" or that the idea that "scratches" could be brush strokes is "absurd" just simply ignores the immense differences that can exist in two photos of the exact same coin.

Offline OldMoney

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1289
  • My Site! www.oldmoney.com.au
    • Walter Holt's Old Money
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2018, 02:26:25 pm »
Forgive me, but I do find this a clear and obvious example of outrageous tooling.
You are welcome to disagree on our opinions, but the facts remain the same. In the
end, either it is tooled, or it is not. I hope I have presented the evidence as I see it,
the choice is to accept of reject it. If I have failed to present it sufficiently, then that is
something I will need to address.

As for your above "example", it may, of course, be better to start comparing like with
like, then maybe we can have a more candid and constructive conversation, with
appropriately similar examples. Your modern US coins are really not fair comparisons.

I can only offer to lead you to the well, whether you choose to drink is another matter.
My goal is to educate, and that offer stands for you, and anyone else willing to learn.

Since we now know where this latter image came from (I didn't initially, it was sent to
me by a colleague who knew of my interest in these particular coins
), I would like to
hear the thoughts of anyone who viewed the coin in hand prior to it being sold. My
opinion is firm, based on the evidence I presented, however additional evidence may
either change that, or confirm matters further. We'll see what transpires with time.

All the best,

- Walter
Coins of Ephesus
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/ephesuscoins
Walter Holt's Old Money - Ancient Coins
https://www.oldmoney.com.au
Sydney, Australia

Offline Dino

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • IMPERATOR
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 1521
  • Anyone have change for a hemidrachm?
    • My Gallery
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #19 on: October 02, 2018, 04:09:51 pm »
The point of my “example” is that two dimensional photographs depicting the same three dimensional object can make that object look very different based on lighting and the application of a “paint” on that object.

I don’t need to use an Ararat or even an ancient coin to do that. And you know that. Your suggestion that it is necessary to demonstrate the point is a red herring.

In addition, I am not the only one on this thread who expressed doubt as to what you believe is so “clear and obvious.” 

Perhaps when multiple people who have some experience in collecting ancient coins express doubt as to what you think see in a photo you should at least consider the other viewpoint.

At a minimum perhaps you should consider that even if true it is not “clear and obvious.”  I am starting to doubt that you want to actually discuss the topic seriously though. You just want to keep repeating your opinion using even more certain terms.

Offline djmacdo

  • Tribunus Plebis 2017
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4483
  • I love this forum!
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #20 on: October 03, 2018, 07:21:34 am »
I still say that to me at least the coin has both received artificial patina and tooling or, if you prefer, scraping.  You may disagree, but for me a once-honest coin is no longer that.

Offline Dino

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • IMPERATOR
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 1521
  • Anyone have change for a hemidrachm?
    • My Gallery
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #21 on: October 03, 2018, 03:22:50 pm »
I still say that to me at least the coin has both received artificial patina and tooling or, if you prefer, scraping.  You may disagree, but for me a once-honest coin is no longer that.

I don't think anyone disagrees that a "desert patina" has been applied to the coin.

So in that sense, yes, the coin is less honest(?).

A few points to consider.

Coins with black patinas are difficult to photograph.  It is difficult to get the appropriate contrast. 

It is even more difficult to do so when the surface is rough, like the surface of the coin at issue. 

The fake "desert patina" could easily be revealing details that were not obvious in the earlier photo, that photo is not great quality anyway.

How much value do you think would be added to a coin this worn if someone successfully tooled three edge dots to to appear more prominent where over half of them are missing?

Offline djmacdo

  • Tribunus Plebis 2017
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4483
  • I love this forum!
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #22 on: October 04, 2018, 05:19:53 pm »
Much more than three edge dots appear to me to have been strengthened. 

Offline OldMoney

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1289
  • My Site! www.oldmoney.com.au
    • Walter Holt's Old Money
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #23 on: October 10, 2018, 06:43:37 pm »
It is easy to be confused by the false "desert patina". One has to look beyond
that, at what it is actually covering up, and what it is meant to be covering up.
The attached images show, quite clearly, just a few of the areas where there
were high points in the fields and on the various details, that are now flattened,
gouged, chiseled, etc., etc.
I am not sure how else to present things, but these are a few close-up images,
side-by-side, where you can compare one part of the un-enhanced coin with the
same part of the tooled coin.
What more can I do? Here is the evidence, the proof. Take it or leave it. Enjoy!
Thanks for your contributions Mac.
All the best,

- Walter
Coins of Ephesus
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/ephesuscoins
Walter Holt's Old Money - Ancient Coins
https://www.oldmoney.com.au
Sydney, Australia

Offline djmacdo

  • Tribunus Plebis 2017
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4483
  • I love this forum!
Re: Armenian Mt.Ararat Coin Vandalised/Scraped/Chiseled/Tooled
« Reply #24 on: October 11, 2018, 06:55:09 am »
I cannot imagine any clearer proof than these excellent images!

 

All coins are guaranteed for eternity