Author Topic: Silver Trachy help request (Read 911 times)

dpaul7 · « **on:** August 05, 2008, 05:23:03 pm »

Hello!

I am posting this for a friend in Brazil -- He is concerned the piece may not be authentic or may be a Bulgarian imitation.

The picture is not clear.... but I think enough of the style should be visible. To me, it does not look like a Bulgarian imitation... especially because of the silver content. I had thought Manuel I, or maybe Isaac II.
He has received some negative feedback about the coin -- I feel that it is a good one from what I see. I'm looking for opinions, please!

dpaul7

joma-tk · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2008, 05:42:35 pm »

Many times in this forum we have discussed this coin.
The last time was here:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=47078.0
To summarize, this type:
John III Ducas Vatatzes (1222-1254), minted in Magnesia, Sear 2073
has unfortunately become the most common fake among gold Byzantine coins.
If now we have a "silver version" as well (although it doesn't look silver to me) , it's even worse...
Here is a better picture of this type

Basil · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2008, 10:05:36 am »

Hello,
as joma mentioned we have duscussed this coin several times. As far as the silver content is concerned I can give the following information. Sear 2073 will be found in different colours from dark yellow to light yellow up to a yellowish silver. That means the silver content of the alloy differs. From my point of view the compound of an alloy is not a clear argument for a fake. Unfortunately we have not enough metallurgical investigations about the late Byzantine coins.

regards Basil

dpaul7 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2008, 11:40:32 am »

Hello again!

Please look at the NEW photos I have of the coin. To me, it does not seem the same coin as the one you have illustrated. My friend has now classified it thus:

Aspron Trachy- 1222-1254 - Reverse - Jonh III (Ducas Vatatzes) of Niceia is honored by the Virgin Maria - Obverse - enthroned Jesus Christ, legend ICXC
(HIS NOTE****) "I have doubts how much to the metal. It has silver aspect. these currencies were made at this time of electrum, in way that I think that this must be of a league where the silver predominates sufficiently on the gold league, metal that already came being removed gradually of this coinage."