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Suspicious Maximus siliqua
Luuk S:
Hi all
Recently i purchased this siliqua from ebay, but I now have some serious doubts about this coin.
It is not from a dealer on the NFSL list and he appears to sell some definitely genuine ancient coins.
Apart from the fact that this coin was sold via ebay (if genuine it would be really valuable coin and sold via auction houses), i have the following issues:
- the lettering is too clear and doesn't show flowlines
- very little patina
- Maximus isn't wearing a beard, which all other specimens do have.
- The portrait style is more of the Constantinian or Valentinian dynasty, not 5th century
- The reverse legend reads VICTOR A - AAVGGG, whereas all genuine specimens i found read VICTOR - AAAVGGG
- The letters 'A' are all with crossbar, whereas genuine Maximus coins generally show a /\ instead
- The coin looks 'too nice', all Maximus siliquas generally look quite miserable
However, the flan cracks are definitelly real, which practically none of the fake siliquas in the fake coin report have. The coin is thus a struck coin and for me, this was the convincing argument at the moment of buying, however i didnt properly research the details of Maximus coins, which are discussed above.
In conclusion, i think it is a well-made fake. Please let me now what you think.
Obverse: DN MAXIM-VS PF AVG
Reverse: VICTOR A - AAVGGG, SMBA in exergue
Weight: 1.03 g
Axis: 0500 h
gr Luuk
PeterD:
I think you have the wrong Maximus there. This is a siliqua of Magnus Maximus (383-388)
The reverse inscription should be VICTORI-A AVGG
I can't see anything wrong with it, but I am not an expert.
Luuk S:
While the portrait style would certainly fit for Magnus Maximus, i'm pretty sure its no coin of him.
All siliquas I found of Magnus Maximus have 'DN MAG MAXIMVS PF AVG' on the obverse.
Additionally, no reverse with 'VICTOR A AAVGGG' or SMBA as a mintmark have been used by Magnus Maximus as far as i know.
gr Luuk
Pekka K:
Take a look to RIC X 1601: http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.10.max_barc_w.1601
Pekka K
PeterD:
Yes, I think Pekka is correct. The three "C"s at the end of the reverse inscription should have alerted me as I have one of these myself. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/historia/coins/r7/r26020.htm
So Maximus of Barcelona (or Spain), not Magnus Maximus.
Scarce and valuable coins.
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