Help with Phaistos, Crete Æ coin

[Alejandro M]

I haven't been able to attribute this one.

The motif is ok for Phaistos, but first one in bronze I've seen.

Hercules fighting hydra, bull butting.

It has some lettering on the reverse and I've been told it says ΦAIC-TIΩN . Any help would be appreciated.

24 mm
10 grams

[Meepzorp]

Hi AM,

Yes, it does look like Lucania, Poseidonia coins. But the style is a little odd, and it is much too large and heavy.

The legend looks like "LIETIO".

Meepzorp

[Alejandro M]

Thank you Meepzorp, yes it is weird. Hope someone can help me.

I believe I can see Λl or ΑΙ plus ΤΙΟ or ΤΙΘ with an E between these... I'm confounded....

Whatever is besides the standing figure, also looks like a dolphin... Maaaybe.

[Alejandro M]

Please don't forget me.😂

[Meepzorp]

Hi AM,

It may be the core of a plated coin. But I don't think it is likely.

In addition to being the wrong metal, it also has unusual edge splits. Could it be a pressed fake?

Meepzorp

[Alejandro M]

Meepzorp, hi, good morning, and I hope all is well.

I thought it could be a fake, as no other coin, similar to it, has popped out in multiple searches and queries.

I believe it tries to emulate: https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=3761&lot=357

Nevertheless, do you think it could be an ancient forgery?

I'm just trying to classify or dispose of it. Thanks once more.

[Jochen]

I believe it tries to emulate: https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=3761&lot=357

I think your suggestion is correct.

Jochen

[Alejandro M]

Thank you, Jochen, although no silvering is visible. I'm just going to treat it as a forgery and leave it as it is.....

[Meepzorp]

Hi AM,

You shouldn't have edited your first post in this topic. By doing so, you created a situation where some of the posts that follow it (including my first post) don't make sense.

You should have left your first post "as is." You could have added additional and/or newly learned information in the following posts. The topic would flow better that way.

Meepzorp

[Alejandro M]

Hi Meepzorp, lesson learned, and thanks for your comment which is well received.

I hope you have a great week and thanks once more.