Fake Antoninus Pius Medallion?

[Harry G]

Hello everyone,

I saw this one on eBay recently; a medallion of Antoninus Pius. To me, the 'coin' looks to be artificially patinated and the style just seems wrong - as if it has been cast. It is apparently "weighs 38.3 grams and measures 39mm". I am asking because medallions are not my area of expertise and this one seems different to the other ones listed on eBay from reputable sellers. This seller has less than 85% positive feedback and only has 101 feedback. Is the coin fake and should I nominate them for the NFSL?

Thanks!

[Joe Sermarini]

Does the seller give an RIC number, or references?  At a glance, I would guess it is a modern fantasy medallion.  Perhaps not a "fake," but just not ancient. How does the seller describe it?

[Lee S]

Just as a side note... eBay feedback has less than zero relevance when it comes to selling fakes..
   Many notorious fake sellers have 10s of thousands of positive feedbacks... Similarly, I have bought great coins from a seller with only 2 feedbacks, one bad over something trivial...
   If your buying bulk packages of toilet paper then check the feedback. .
       If your buying ancient coins.... Know the coin or know the seller...

  Best wishes...
Lee.

[shanxi]

Similar to this one:

https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?id=18200636

But IMHO too similar: same rim defect (obverse), same double strike (reverse, ring of pearls), same decentering.

This suggests that the Berlin example, or a plaster cast of it, might be the mother of the medallion.


The reverse is also similar to this cast example in the fake reports:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pos=-2007

[Harry G]

Hello all,

Thanks for your help. This is how the seller describes the piece NOW:

This auction is for a roman medallion coin.

Antoninus Pius AE Medallion. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P COS IIII, laureate and cuirassed bust right.
 Seated figure with two men standing next to ornate chair containing a figure raising there hand and offering an olive branch.

Dated 138 - 161AD.

The coin could be Paduan or an old replica.

The medallion weighs 38.3 grams and measures 39mm.
The medallion is in good condition for its age and has clear detail with good colour.

This auction has a .99p start and has no reserve so happy bidding.

The seller appears to have modified the description yesterday (the eBay listing says so), to say that it may be a replica (it definitely wasn't there before!) or a fantasy piece.

@Lee S
Yes, I completely agree!

Thanks,
Harry

[curtislclay]

Similar to this one:

https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?id=18200636

But IMHO too similar: same rim defect (obverse), same double strike (reverse, ring of pearls), same decentering.

This suggests that the Berlin example, or a plaster cast of it, might be the mother of the medallion.

The Berlin collection itself possesses a cast of their genuine piece that Shanxi links to:

Dressel, Berlin Medallions, p. 444, no. 39: "The same type. A cast of our authentic piece, no. 21."

[Joe Sermarini]

The Berlin description seems to say it is ancient Roman. It doesn't appear ancient to me, but I haven't handled many ancient medallions, so I am not entirely sure. Is it ancient or modern? 

[curtislclay]

I haven't seen a picture of the Berlin cast medallion, but Dressel certainly considered it modern, placing it in the category of false and imitative medallions (Verzeichnis der falschen und verfälschten Medaillone). I don't doubt that he was correct.

If that Berlin cast medallion is now online, can you provide a link?

[Pekka K]

Found this:

http://www.smb-digital.de/eMuseumPlus?service=direct/1/ResultLightboxView/result.t1.collection_lightbox.$TspTitleImageLink.link&sp=10&sp=Scollection&sp=SfieldValue&sp=0&sp=4&sp=3&sp=Slightbox_3x4&sp=312&sp=Sdetail&sp=0&sp=F&sp=T&sp=319

Pekka K

[shanxi]

Isn't this the struck original, I linked above:

https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?lang=de&id=18200636&view=rs



as far as I see the cast example is not online

[Joe Sermarini]

My corrected question...

Is the struck original of this type ancient Roman or is the struck original of this type a Renaissance or modern fantasy? 

[antoninus1]

According to this part of the description it´s ancient Roman


Münzstand (?)
 
Antike Herrscherprägung
 

Münzherr (minting authority?)
Antoninus Pius
 

Datierung (dating)
 
153-154 n. Chr.
Römische Kaiserzeit

The detailed and realistic depiction of Antoninus on the revers is outstanding.