They're right about one thing: the coin is cleary a terrible
fake. Metal detector find or not, it looks like a modern product. Some sort of fantasy piece, rather than an ancient
counterfeit. Lots of modern
fakes are found with metal detectors. I'd be interested to know the identity of the "experts" who were consulted, particularly the one who pointed out that the
portrait is of "Emperor
Caesar"(!). I'd love to know why Sam Moorehead of the BM thinks this is even ancient, let alone unique. It looks like half the modern
fake trash that's found among the lsitings of shady
ebay sellers. Even just from the photo it is glaringly obvious it is a modern
fake crappie. If this is the evaluation of the BM's national finds adviser for
ancient coins, then perhaps the BM needs to find a new national finds adviser. Even if it
were ancient (which I very seriously doubt), there's nothing
scarce, let alone remotely "unique," about imitatives and
counterfeits.
Yes, indeed, I think Mr. Clements may want to find other means of funding
his course.