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Author Topic: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!  (Read 800 times)

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Offline Katharosteriphos

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Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« on: October 29, 2010, 12:37:10 pm »
Dear friends!

I recently obtained this coin, a AR Drachm from Attica, Athens.

However, I am not convinced this coin is genuine, for the overall "smooth" appearance. Therefore I'd like to post it here for your consideration!

Any comments are very much appreciated!!


Details:
Attica, Athens. After 449 BC. AR Drachm.
Helmeted head of Athena right. / AQE, owl standing right, head facing.
Composition: Silver, weight: 3.60 gm.  diameter: 16 mm

Thank you for your comments!

-kat
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Offline rover1.3

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2010, 12:56:17 pm »
I think some slight pitting is only due to corrosion, and the "softness" you mentioned looks to me like honest wear.
The hole looks ancient,  the weight is normal taking into consideration the hole and the wear.
Style, fabric normal for these.

I dare say it is ancient but this is only my opinion based on the inspection of these photos only.

Offline areich

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2010, 01:14:44 pm »
The seam is just the usual optical illusion and not actually present?
Andreas Reich

Offline rover1.3

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2010, 01:16:20 pm »
Andreas, I saw this, I think the seam is the result of lightning. But better Katharosteriphos to clear this.

Offline Katharosteriphos

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2010, 01:28:23 pm »
Thank you very much for your responses - faster than lightning ;)

The seam is not actually there - it only looks like it on the photograph (I apologize for the poor quality).

By the way: The small damage at 3 o'clock on the obverse looks like the traces a forceps would leave. It is not a crack, although it looks like that on the photo. Maybe it happened, when the coin was held in place to drill the hole. The hole was not punched for sure.

rover, I have to say, I am relieved to hear that you think it's genuine. Since I am a student, it would have been a big financial (and psychological) loss  ;D  (three days work in a warehouse at least).

Thank you again!
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Offline Katharosteriphos

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2010, 01:30:57 pm »
PS: one more question...: do you maybe know the correct catalogue attribution for this coin? or maybe a minting date? (of course only if you are okay with me asking this question in this section of the discussion board)

Thank you again!

-kat
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Offline Dino

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2010, 02:29:08 pm »
Try this one for comparison:

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 460-404 BC. 
Drachm (14mm, 3.43 g, 6h). Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig behind; all within incuse square. Kroll 10; SNG Copenhagen 41. Near VF, graffito on reverse.

CNG Electronic Auction 217, Lot: 66.

Larger pic at the link below:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-46700

Offline rover1.3

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2010, 02:36:22 pm »

rover, I have to say, I am relieved to hear that you think it's genuine.


However, if I was you, I would wait for other opinions also. That was just MY opinion.

Offline Dino

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2010, 05:27:46 pm »
I see nothing that gives me concern with respect to authenticity.

Offline Katharosteriphos

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Re: Suspicious looking Drachm from Athens!
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2010, 01:43:23 pm »
Great to hear that! Fantastic Drachm, Dino! Thank you all for the comments!  8)

Best regards!!

-kat
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