NERO SESTERTIUS TEMPLE OF JANUS

[Adrian W]

I found this coin in an old collection I picked up, I am sure its cast copy, weight is 24.71g and 35mm.Interestingly the wear points are exactly where you would hold the coin between thumb and finger.

[Dominic T]

With the coin in hand and for educational purpose, please explain the reasons that convinced you your coin is a cast.
DT

[Adrian W]

Thats a good question and really do not know the answer to that one.It was in a small album of coins that contained a lot of 4th cent LRBS and some Paduans and other fake copies such as WRL.This did have one or two decent coins. The auction house auctioned off a bunch of coins I think from the same collection individually as it would seem odd they would miss one. As if its legit its an unusually nice exmple. So that's why I am not so sure..Any insight help appreciated. At worst I could send it to David Sear to verify I have done that in the past.

[djmacdo]

The reverse does have a soft and soapy look.

[Dominic T]

As if its legit its an unusually nice exmple.

Even if I think the patina looks artificial on the reverse side, I have to admit we rarely see the top of the temple with so many details.
DT

[Adrian W]

I agree I have never seen one with so much detail either, weight and size is good and wear points are in the right place but just get the feeling its not quite well

[Callimachus]

Tooled, especially the reverse?
What does the edge look like?

[antoninus1]

I think also the price of the coin is an indication that it might be not genuine. Even in 1972 5 GBP were very cheap for a genuine sestertius in this condition.

[Joe Sermarini]

Did you look for a similar coin on the fake coin reports? If cast, and it seems likely but not at all certain from the photos, I would expect to find duplicates.

[Adrian W]

I did not find a match in fake coin reports. One does come up quite often I saw bust right this is left and some difference. The edge looks fine no sign of a seam as if its cast. I did consider the purchase price that would be 50 pounds today. That was 5 weeks' worth of pocket money for me back then. As to price it could be that some just underpriced it if its genuine and not what they normally would sell who knows.This is a tough one I might just send to David Sear see what he says as I have done that in the past.My gut feeling is it's a copy but do not want to condemn it until I know for sure.As mentioned the wear pattern on the temple is exactly where by thumb and fingers go when you hold it and it would take some time to wear down that amount.