Bruttium stater cast copy?

[Chris H2]

I bought this coin a while ago and acidentally found out that the same coin(?) was sold by an Auction house in 2018. There's weird initials (IB?) on mine. Everything else looks ok. Is it a copy or the same coin?

Weight and Diameter are identical.

Would appreciate your opinions on it.



1. Photo is mine

2. Photo is from the Auction house.

[Jay GT4]

Looks like the same coin just different lighting and angle.  To be sure look at the cracks on your coin.  Do they go right through or are they filed in and superficial?

[JBF]

What is the weight?  There are ancient coins with (more) modern countermarks.   I think it was a matter of someone who put a modern countermark, to mark it as part of his collection, however, I have an electrotype that also has a modern countermark.  You might be able to connect it to a well known, historical collection, maybe.

[djmacdo]

I wonder whether the "IB" is just a random mark that the human eye and mind resolves into letters?

[OldMoney]

The British Museum used the "MB" (ligate/monogram) on some of their
electrotypes. I strongly suspect that this is one of those. (ie: it is!)

Further, I think the "Auction House 2018" coin (or did you mean 2012?)
is also a copy, given that the original BM coin is . . . still in the BM!
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_RPK-p270A-7-Cau
(it also looks like the MB has been smoothed off the 2012 coin).

"MB" as a mark for electrotypes is quite well known, and I am surprised
that an experienced dealer would not immediately recognise it as such.
Even the weight should have rung alarm bells, with the 2012 sale
indicating a weight of only 7.09g! (the original is 7.957g)

I'd be seeking a refund, and perhaps an explanation, ASAP if I were you.

- Walter

[Jay GT4]

Well, there you have it.  Great post Walter.

[Joe Sermarini]

Fake coin report please.