Real or Fake Roman Military Diploma?

[Elliott D]

Hello, I recently purchased the attached fragments from an auction house that claims to be reputable. I am inclined to believe them, however, I sent the attached photo to two experts on military diplomas. I have other pictures, too, if needed. These experts claim that the fragments are not authentic. Would anyone be able to offer me advice on what to do next? Thank you!

[SC]

Sorry, they look nothing like any genuine Roman military diploma fragments I have ever seen.

The form of the letters is way off and it looks, from the photos, like the letters are raised - if that is the case then it is absolutely certain that they are a modern cast fake.

If the dealer is truly a reputable one they should take them back.

It might be worth your while grabbing a bunch of images of military diplomas from online, especially ones from museums, but also from higher end dealers.  You will quickly notice that they all look quite similar, and nothing like yours.

You could send the images along with your request for a refund and then you are not justing quoting some "so-called online experts", even if we are in fact good ones.

SC

[Elliott D]

Thanks for your help! I know I sound like a rube when I say that they insisted that they were authentic. I'd consider their auction house high-end - but in terms of ancient coins, not necessarily antiquities. See the paragraph in the attached image. They said that the fragments might come from a tabula and that these fragments were found in southern Italy. Not sure if this information changes your advice! Oh, and the letters are not raised. Thoughts?

[SC]

Are the letters raised or inset?

SC

[Elliott D]

The letters are inset. There are no letters on the back of the fragments, which would make sense if the fragments came from a tabula or bronze plaque. That is, it's my understanding that diplomas featured writing on both sides. So in a sense, these fragments most likely are authentic pieces of a bronze tabula/plaque as opposed to being pieces from a diploma. Thank you!

[SC]

What is the profile of the grooves?  They look rounded.

SC

[Elliott D]

That's a good question. Here is a close-up shot. It's tough to tell whether they are rounded - thoughts? And thank you!

[SC]

I have two bronze fragments with text that are not military diplomas but part of larger inscriptions.

I will try to get some close-up photos on the weekend.

My gut is that they are very different, but it has been ages since I really looked at them.

SC