Good points made on the carbon dating---thank you all! I did a lot of surfing again yesterday, especially on known modern engravers of
fake coins (
still trying to trace this thing's journey) and found out that some of their wares are
good enough to even make it into museums around the world. Coin dealers in
Greece keep a cache of known
fake coins for reference, as do many museums. A little research yesterday also brought up the point that engravers of
fakes would take lesser valued coins from the era in question, melt them down and then produce their wares, so carbon dating wouldn't
work anyway, even if it was a viable option. And I agree, there's people right here on this
forum with enough coins 'under their belt' to make a determination also.
Still, I called Tom Cederlind's office yesterday morning and sent over these pics of my lucky
dekadrachm. I
had a sense they
had a preconceived notion the coin was a
fake before they even saw it! They didn't want me to bring it in. Examining the same pics I posted here, they also concur that my lucky coin is a modern
replica. Here's what I was told: "It's a 'tourist piece,' a modern engraving. The lettering is too concise for the era and there's 'no substance' under the
face. (Can anyone tell me what was meant by 'substance?') The designs are too linear." So, I guess that's the end of that! I was also told, that if it were an ancient it would be an extremely
rare find and I am unlikely to find one in this
good of condition in the first place. He invited me to examine the known dies of Kimon and to make my own determination, but that I would come to the same conclusion. Well, I guess THAT's THAT! This has been a fun journey, but now I feel like I have to find a real coin to appease the numismatic beast that has sprung up within me in the last few days! GOTTA LOVE
HISTORY and methinks I'd like to hold it in my hand! Questions: 1. What did Cederlind mean by 'substance.' 2. Where would I find images of Kimon's known dies? 3. What would it cost me for a REAL Kimon
Dekadrachm like this? (it's a moot point, but I'm
still interested) 4. Why did Kimon create so many dies? Did they wear out? Cederlind's associate also told me these dekadrachms were given out to mercenary soldiers as payment in their war against the Carthaginians. Anywa, THANKS a BUNDLE! L