Antique Inkwell Featuring Greek (imitation) Coin

[SC]

I didn't know where to share this interesting coin-related item.  While it is a metal antique (though not an antiquity) its interest here is not itself but the "coin" it incorporates.

This is a brass inkwell, likely from the 19th century, with a coin inside the lid.

Careful examination of the coin image reveals some places where the silvering has worn somewhat revealing brass color underneath.

I would be interested in views on the coin it is modeled after and what type of imitation this is. It seems to be too high quality to be cast (the detail is even sharper than the images imply), so struck in brass?  Electrotype??

SC

[Altamura]

Interesting object.

The "coin" looks like a portrait of Philetairos on tetradrachms from Pergamon:
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2308691
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1295129
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=977709

Regards

Altamura

[SC]

Interesting, thanks.  It certainly looks like it, especially the second with the ribbons.

I would have initially guessed it was from the Bactrian successors.  (Guess who has yet to actually read his copy of the Davis & Kraay's Hellenistic Kingdoms, Portrait Coins and History!)

SC

[Jay GT4]

very cool

[Virgil H]

I guess there is no chance of seeing the reverse. That would be interesting.

Virgil

[SC]

No sign of any fastening so it must be glued or soldered on.

SC

[Virgil H]

If it is indeed an imitation, it may have no reverse, especially if it were made for this particular purpose or for similar types of things where the reverse would never be seen. Is there a way to see if the reverse is absolutely flat against the lid or if it may be uneven because of reverse relief? Or, I may be overthinking the entire thing. Such a cool item as I still use fountain pens and fill them from a bottle inkwell with a lid, spilling ink is one of those things you never want to happen. LOL. I also have a few old glass inkwells from the late 19th century that I found in an old dump in South Africa along with lots of other cool bottles and a few other interesting things like a metal soldier and a bone or ivory toothbrush.

Regards,
Virgil

[SC]

It is raised a little from the back so likely is not flat.

I use it for a small glass in vial - which I keep corked unless I am using it.

SC

[PtolemAE]

I didn't know where to share this interesting coin-related item.  While it is a metal antique (though not an antiquity) its interest here is not itself but the "coin" it incorporates.

This is a brass inkwell, likely from the 19th century, with a coin inside the lid.

Careful examination of the coin image reveals some places where the silvering has worn somewhat revealing brass color underneath.

I would be interested in views on the coin it is modeled after and what type of imitation this is. It seems to be too high quality to be cast (the detail is even sharper than the images imply), so struck in brass?  Electrotype??

SC

Won't be surprised in the least if it's a geniune coin. When this object likely was made such coins were of negligible value. I have seen a similar item, a brass box, made in the 1940s with a real Alexander tetradrachm atop the lid's handle.

PtolemAE

[SC]

It's the brass color that can be seen on areas of wear - like the a couple of curls, the earlobe and the cheek - that keep from from getting excited that it might be a genuine coin.  Whatever it is it appears to be silver-plated brass.

SC

[Ron C2]

It could si have been cleaned with a brass brush that left surface deposits?