Thank you so much for your replies. I was hoping for expert evidence of the odd underweight
solidus. But there we are. The facts are the facts.
I have seen some other underweights on online
Auctions. They may be
fakes too. While the great majority of solidi are 4.2g-4.5g, examples include of 3.35g[Nobles], 3.45g [
CNG], 3.45g [
London Coins], 3.4g [Vcoin] and even an example on the
Harvard Art Museum site of a
solidus weighing 3.5g. Some look worn. Apart from these examples there doesn't appear to any backing for underweight solidii.
My
scales are accurate [I have two different brands] and have checked them against other coins. They have a manufacturers 0.02g margin of error but are usually weigh the same as other dealers I have bought from..
The
specific gravity was my calculation. 3.35g/0.18g= 18.6 g/cc [with mathematical error: about 18-20g/cc]. Backed by Sigma Metalytics reading, I am happy with the gold content. My other
Maurice Tib
Solidus is the same S.G. using the same
scales [but heavier coin!]
Unfortunately I bought this coin from a dealer, who bought it from the
auction 4 years ago. I have the ticket. The photos on the
Auction site are identical [I & L Goldberg
Auction 104 Lot 3370]. It can be view on Numisbids website.
https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=2602&lot=3370 .
I am at a loss! It certainly looks real. I don't know how it lost its
weight. I wish I could! Many thanks again for your thoughts. Michael