RIC VII CONSTANTINOPLE 61 (Constantius II)

[Lech Stępniewski]

Probably a modern forgery. Not in Fake Coin Reports but I don't like this coin.

- strange mintmark CONSO; "O" does not make any sense as an officina letter
- smooth surface so these green deposits looks like a deliberate addition to deceive a buyer
- portrait with unusual "pearl" decoration of paludamentum; "pearls" on neck resemble necklace - on genuine coins there is sometimes a part of cuirass



- offered by seller which at the same time offered well known forgery imitating mule form Thessalonica (attested in Fake Coin Reports)

[REMOVED BY ADMIN]

Any comments?

[Heliodromus]

I have a hard time believing that anyone is faking coins to this level of quality - with hand engraved dies - without any apparent profit motive. The emperor and type are too common and cheap, and we don't see the market flooded with these as we do for poorer quality fakes like the "mule" from the seller you noted.

From a quick scan of the sellers other LRBs I don't notice other fakes apart than the "mule", so I doubt they even realize that one is fake.

Here are a few coins from the ANS for comparison (plus resized coin under discussion). I don't know what that "pearl" decoration on the cloak is meant to represent, but it's not unique to that coin.

The officina letter could be a partial theta or B - something similar to one of these ANS examples.

Ben

[Lech Stępniewski]

I have a hard time believing that anyone is faking coins to this level of quality - with hand engraved dies - without any apparent profit motive.

I agree that there are some counter-arguments possible. And that's why I wrote "probably forgery" and asked for comments.

I don't know what that "pearl" decoration on the cloak is meant to represent, but it's not unique to that coin.

Yes, it could be "an engraver's whim".

The officina letter could be a partial theta or B - something similar to one of these ANS examples.

I also agree. However, rare on generally well preserved coin.

But what about surface? Partially looks like "brand new" or perfectly cleaned so why these deposits were left?

All my reservation are one by one not especially significant but four in the case of one coin makes me suspicious.

[Hydatius]

I have no problem with it. Θ is a well represented officina in this series and that's probably what follows the mint mark. The necklace is fine and a normal part of the bust. It's still there in the fifth century. I can't comment on the patina and leave it to others with more experience. There's nothing that looks odd about it except perhaps for the very distinct pearled edge of the cloak.
  Richard

[Lech Stępniewski]

The necklace is fine and a normal part of the bust.

To be precise, there is no necklace on this type of bust. It is a part of cuirass to protect the neck. Something like metal collar.



And as I said: all these things are rather insignificant when taken individually (deformed officina letter on well preserved coin, "necklace", "pearl" decoration, green deposits on smooth surface) but together it seems strange. At least for me.