If your local dealer is not an expert in
ANCIENT coins,
his opinion is worthless.
Sounds harsh but it's true. Unfortunately dealers in modern coins will
still think they are qualified to
give an opinion. I once saw a
cheap reproduction labeled SANDOS (by a p harmaceutical company)
in a
shop that
had modern and just a few crappy and overpriced
ancient coins. It was kind of sad.
You probably don't know
Curtis but he's one of the best there is, he works for
Harlan J.
Berk.
Just
google their website and see what kind of coins they deal in, they're one of the biggest firms there are.
This method of
selling to tourists is very common but these people are not stupid (but they are dishonest) and will not
sell a genuine high-price coin cheaply. It's
still a nice souvenir depending on how much you paid and one that you can wear without worry which you couldn't do if it were real.
Andreas