Berge (Bisaltia) - first half 4th C BC - "trite" (drachma)

[Nikitas K]

Dear friends,

I have come across this coin which I have identified as a "trite" (drachma) from the city of Berge, ancient Macedonia, circa 400-350 BC.
Although the weight and size seem to be right, I'm pretty sure it's a fake (too good to be true).
I would however appreciate any opinions on this!

Diameter: 14-15 mm
Weight: circa 3 gr (I do not have a preceision scale  )

Thank you very much in advance!

[esnible]

It will be hard to authenticate this from a picture.  Especially a cell phone picture.

I've seen photos of three examples, including the one in the British Museum https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_HPB-p32-23

None of those had a raised center.

[Nikitas K]

It will be hard to authenticate this from a picture.  Especially a cell phone picture.

I've seen photos of three examples, including the one in the British Museum https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_HPB-p32-23

None of those had a raised center.

Thank you for your answer.
The raised centre is a main concern.
I have, however, located some examples of this coinage in the archaeological museums of Serres and Kavala, Greece (see pics)
The coin could of course be attributed to Bergaeus, a local lord (king) of Thrace, who has minted several coins in the same time period.

[Altamura]

The staters mentioned by esnible are usually attributed to the ruler Bergaios, there are two more in the Berlin collection:
https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?lang=de&id=18214035
https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?lang=de&id=18214040
and one in Paris : https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8588293b
all looking like the London specimen.

I am sceptical about the authenticity  .

Regards

Altamura

[Nikitas K]

The staters mentioned by esnible are usually attributed to the ruler Bergaios, there are two more in the Berlin collection:
https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?lang=de&id=18214035
https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?lang=de&id=18214040
and one in Paris : https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8588293b
all looking like the London specimen.

I am sceptical about the authenticity  .

Regards

Altamura

Thank you for your input.
Kind regards!

[Din X]

It is a replica of Petar Petrov, he is using the katharos as symbol to mark many of his Greek replicas and some of his huge Roman replicas.
If there can not be a katharos found on authentic coins of this type and the katharos does not make sense on authentic coins, it is genrally a replica made by him.
I only saved a picture of one of these replicas sold by replica seller who only sold replicas from Petar Petrov.

But I have seen many of them on ebay and if you brows trhough the results you will find several die matches sold by fake sellers or as fakes.

https://www.coryssa.org/index.php/coins/all/keywords/bergaios/search2/yes/date_to/2022-04-20/use_checkboxes/0/search_title/on/period/all

Replicas by Petar Petrov, there is currently non of these for sale but it is very likely that you could find one if you brows through his sold items, if you do so you will find many replicas with katharos symbol

https://www.etsy.com/de/shop/ancientlegends/sold

I looked in fake reports in hope of finding one struck from fresher dies but no success, bottom picture fake reports

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pid=13979

[Joe Sermarini]

New fake coin report with the best photos please!

[Nikitas K]

It is a replica of Petar Petrov, he is using the katharos as symbol to mark many of his Greek replicas and some of his huge Roman replicas.
If there can not be a katharos found on authentic coins of this type and the katharos does not make sense on authentic coins, it is genrally a replica made by him.
I only saved a picture of one of these replicas sold by replica seller who only sold replicas from Petar Petrov.

But I have seen many of them on ebay and if you brows trhough the results you will find several die matches sold by fake sellers or as fakes.

https://www.coryssa.org/index.php/coins/all/keywords/bergaios/search2/yes/date_to/2022-04-20/use_checkboxes/0/search_title/on/period/all

Replicas by Petar Petrov, there is currently non of these for sale but it is very likely that you could find one if you brows through his sold items, if you do so you will find many replicas with katharos symbol

https://www.etsy.com/de/shop/ancientlegends/sold

I looked in fake reports in hope of finding one struck from fresher dies but no success, bottom picture fake reports

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pid=13979

Sir, I have to say... you are awesome! Mystery solved! (My suspicions have been confirmed!)
I was thinking of sending it back where it came from, but it is a nice replica so I think I'll keep it.
Thank you so much!!!!

By the way, if I could ask a question, what do you mean by the term "katharos" as a symbol?
I'd be grateful if you could clarify this for me!
Thank you again! 

[Nikitas K]

New fake coin report with the best photos please!

Will do. Alas, I can only post photos from a mobile phone.
Thank you!

[Din X]

katharos symbol

[Din X]

some more

[Din X]

Some Roman

[Din X]

There are many more and some even fooled experts, like this one.
Top picture was sold middle was withdrawn after they were notified
and bottom pictures are from my replica

[djmacdo]

Din X,

As usual you have proved your case beyond question.

Mac

[Nikitas K]

Dear Din X,

You were concise and explanative to the utmost.
Once again thank you very much!!

[Joe Sermarini]

I hope we have fake coin reports for all of these?

[Altamura]

... By the way, if I could ask a question, what do you mean by the term "katharos" as a symbol? ...

Kantharos (not katharos) is the name of this type of greek pot: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantharos

Regards

Altamura

[Joe Sermarini]

Or you could just click the blue text - kantharos.

[Din X]

You can find this kantharos symbol on the "sertifikat" stating it is a "suwenir" "replika" "rimski" "moneta".
The coins with kantharos are from Petar Petrov, but as mentioned above he did not do a kantharos on all of his replicas only on some.
If you buy replicas in Bulgaria you will get them often with a certificate declaring them to be replicas.


Some Bulgarian replicas are even sold with certificate made by Ilya Prokopov, declaring them to be replicas and make it so possible to sell and export them legally.