Interesting Legend Error or Fake?

[Jochen]

Dear friends of ancient coins!

This coin has found its way in my collection. It has an unusual legend error on the obverse. But I wonder if it's not just a modern fake.

Nikopolis ad Istrum, Macrinus, AD 217-218
AE 15, 1.88g
obv. AVT K M OPELLIOC  - VH MAKRINOC
       Laureate head r.
rev. NI / KOPOL / ITWN P/ ROC IC / TRW
       Legend in 5 lines
ref. a) AMNG
      b) not in Varbanov
      c) not in Histova/Hoeft/Jekov (2021):       
          rev. No. 8.23.54.4 (same die)
          obv. cf. 8.23.54.4 (correct would be AVT K M OPELLI CE - VH)

Any opinion welcome!

With thanks in advance
Jochen

[Molinari]

I can see why you are concerned.

[Curtis JJ]

I don't have the relevant references, but based on auction records, I see what you're saying about the obverse and reverse not matching up. I see several reverse die matches (I think) in ACSearch, with at least two different obverse legends.

It won't help with your current specimen, but a couple of them seem to be paired with yet another obverse legend -- neither yours, nor the 8.23.54.4 one. These next ones look like a rev. die match (or at least close), but have a third obverse legend, different from yours or the 8.23.54.4 one.

These seem to be from the same obverse die, both transcribed: AYT K M OΠEΛI CE MAKPINOC. (Only one "L.")
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2305199
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7358284

I wish I could help on this one. I find it really hard to form an opinion with a coin like this just from the photos & measurements -- especially for small coins like this (15mm). At that size, for example, I think it's easier for an enlarged photo to make ordinary wear and surfaces to look like casting "softness."

[Jochen]

Thank you both.
But the matter is not a new die combination but the curious obv. legend OPELLIOC - VH MAKRINOC. Correct it would be OPELLI CE - VH MAKRINOC, otherwise VH is standing isolated. It belongs to CEVH and doesn't make sense alone.

Best regards
Jochen

[Joe Sermarini]

The surfaces are similar to some better made cast fakes, but also possible on a genuine coin. If it is fake, I would expect to see more of them looking very similar soon. The people making fakes with those surface characteristics never make just one. More likely genuine, I think.

[Jochen]

Thank you, for sharing your opinion.

Best regards
Jochen