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Author Topic: Is this an ancient Greek coin?  (Read 1591 times)

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Xinyun

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Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« on: June 11, 2012, 01:22:28 am »
I just got this recently, it is made of plumbum, stannum and little bit silver (about 4%), somebody says this is ancient Greek coin imported from the silk road, yet somebody says this is made by Hanwudi, a very famous ancient Chinese emperor about 2000 years ago.
the diameter is around 55mm, and quite heavy (not measure yet).
is there anybody who had ever seen the similar coin or who knows the words on the back side?
the small stamp is a typical Chinese character.
thanks!!
Xinyun

Xinyun

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2012, 01:31:55 am »
missing the front side  :-[

Offline Molinari

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2012, 08:54:03 am »
It isn't Greek.  I don't recognize the script around the border at all.  Try perusing Omniglot (http://www.omniglot.com/) to find a script match because that would help us narrow down the field.  The Chinese characters almost appear to be counter-marks added later.  Perhaps you could enlarge those for translating purposes?

It might be some form of trade weight as opposed to a "coin," properly speaking.  It could also just be a complete fantasy piece that attempts to look like something "old and valuable" for sale in the markets.

Where did you get it?  That information might help too.

Xinyun

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2012, 11:33:50 am »
thanks a lot for your kind information.
I got this from Panjiayuan market in Beijing, whick is the most famous antique market in China.
I learnt some information from the local internet says in 1979, the same coin was excavated out in Gansu Province, where the ancient silk road was also there.
the hometown of the dealer is also in that province.
thanks and regards,
Xinyun

Xinyun

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2012, 11:40:56 am »
by the way, I got it authenticated at the numismatistcs museum and the expert says it is a real one, but there is no verdict whether is is Chinese coin or imported from ancient Greece, and this is the reason I want to check whether I can find something similar from Greek coins. hope this can help find something.
Cheers,
Xinyun

Offline Minos

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2012, 11:57:13 am »
A coin from the King of Han Wudi, 119-115 BC (don't know how I managed to find this !)

See here ;)

http://www.geocities.jp/hiranocolt/page034.html

Offline Molinari

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2012, 11:59:41 am »
A coin from the King of Han Wudi, 119-115 BC (don't know how I managed to find this !)

See here ;)

http://www.geocities.jp/hiranocolt/page034.html

Nice find, Minos.

Congrats on a rare and interesting coin as well, Xinyun. 

Offline areich

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2012, 12:13:41 pm »
You can't authenticate a coin without knowing, at least approximately, what it is.
Andreas Reich

Offline Minos

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2012, 12:25:46 pm »
Some more here...

http://chinesecoins.lyq.dk/BaiJinSanPinNetside/index.html

Author of this page says that the legend is Greek  ??? (closer to runic characters to me, but that can not be).

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2012, 01:09:59 pm »
There are some letters shared with Greek but others that, like you say, are more Runic-looking.  I checked Linear A and B and it is not either of those, to my eyes.  Really interesting piece.

Xinyun

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Re: Is this an ancient Greek coin?
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2012, 10:00:19 am »
Dear all,
thanks a lot for your kind comments and!!
it is really excited to get your help from world wide friends.
all the best wishes to all of you!
greeting from Shanghai  :)
Xinyun

 

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