Dr. Ilya Prokopov's Fake Ancient Coin Reports
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IMG-20230813-WA0004.jpg
 Fake Oil Lamp, La Marsa Group, Tunisia 20th/21st Centuries4 viewsPer David Knell (Strobilus2): "I'm afraid your lamp is a poor-quality tourist fake. The style and fabric suggest it was probably made in the 'La Marsa' workshop in Tunisia during the 20th/21st centuries."

More about the 'La Marsa Group' here:
https://ancient-heritage.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-to-spot-fake-roman-lamps.htmlv-dromeSep 25, 2023
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 Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm (5th cent. Classical / Transitional)15 viewsAttica, Athens forgery tetradrachm.
Apparently imitating a Classical, possibly Transitional ("Starr Group") or Eastern style owl.

Reported measurements: 17.01g, 24mm.
(Die axis appears roughly 6h in photo?)

Obv: Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss and pearl necklace.
Rev: Owl standing to right with head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ to right; all within incuse square.

This forgery type (identical dies/centering) first reported by helvetica in 2016: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pid=17721

This specimen discussed 24 Sep 2023 in Discussion (including original, unedited photos): https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=132406.msgCurtis JJSep 25, 2023
Julius_Caesar_452-2_Brockage_Denarius_Comparison_Fake_281K_JPG29.jpg
 Julius Caesar Denarius 452/2, Female head LII / Trophy7 viewsIdentical obverses, same banker's mark on cheek. Top coin appeared on social media, the brockage appeared in the inventory of a European dealer (reportedly 3.83g).

Type of: Julius Caesar. Silver Denarius, c 48-7 BCE. Military mint traveling with Caesar.
Obv: Diademed & wreathed female head right (Pietas or Clementia?), LII behind.
Rev: CAE-SAR, trophy of Gallic arms; to right, axe surmounted by an animal's head.
Ref: Crawford 452/2; Sydenham 1009; RSC 18.

Curtis JJSep 12, 2023
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 GORDIAN III RIC 15 denarius6 viewsIMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG / PM TR P II COS PP
22mm 2.2g
Wrong style, wrong lettering and iconography, wrong weight (too low)
Dominic TSep 05, 2023
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 Trajon Decius4 viewsTrajan Decius, AV Aureus 249-251, CAST FAKE. 4.2 grams. Obverse: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder. Reverse. DACIA FELIX Dacia standing left, holding standard. Note cast bubble on cheek. RIC 14 note.
Mike P3Aug 28, 2023
S1653_Theophilus.jpg
 Theophilus, 829 – 842 AD21 viewsAV solidus
Constantinople Mint
Obv. - Crowned bust of Theophilus facing, holding patriarchal cross
Rev. - Facing crowned busts of Michael II (his deceased father) and Constantine (his deceased son), cross above
20.16 mm / 4.35 grams

A cast fake from Beirut. The main diagnostic points are as follows, courtesy of member DIN X:

1.Same scratches on obverse and reverse
2. same centering and flan shape, on yours it is slightly modified (a little bit huger flan) that you can see that part of the dotted border is missing due to bad centering of the authentic mother, so your coin can not be the authentic mother.)
3. Same flat struck areas on obverse and reverse on all coinscmcdon0923Aug 28, 2023
Fake_Trajan_DACIA_AR_Denarius.jpg
 Trajan Denarius Dacian Captive Mourning on Pile of Arms (RIC II 98, Woytek 283b). Replica by Parmalat (Italy, 1985)5 viewsPer Din X, citing "Gettoni ed Exonumia" blogspot (see below): a novelty replica produced by an Italian sweet company in 1985, one of a series with replicas of at least 15 different Republican, Imperatorial, and Imperial silver types. An "R" on the reverse above the Dacian's foot.

Context: shared on social media (24 Aug 2023) by someone who inherited it among a collection of purportedly genuine coins. No weight / diameter given.

Trajan AR Denarius. Rome, c. 108/9 CE.
Obv: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P. Laureate bust r.
Rev: COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC / DAC CAP (in exergue). Dacian captive seated left on pile of arms in attitude of mourning.
Ref: RIC II Trajan 98 ; Woytek 283b ; OCRE: https://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.2.tr.98

See also: Gettoni ed Exonumia, 23 Aug 2015, https://exonumia.blogspot.com/2015/08/1970-parmalat-mister-day-monete-romane.html & https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=132126Curtis JJAug 24, 2023
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 Celtic, Atrebates and Regini, Verica, c. 15 - 42 A.D., Silver Minim12 viewsCeltic, Atrebates and Regini, Verica, c. 15 - 42 A.D., Silver Minim
Silver minim, SCBC 145, Van Arsdell 486, Cottam ABC 1295, VF, Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester, UK) mint, weight 1.194g, maximum diameter 9.9mm, c. 15 - 42 A.D.; obverse cross with central pellet, pellets in angles, all within pelleted border; reverse trident
Condemned as a modern forgery by NGC.Joe SermariniAug 24, 2023
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 Apollonia Pontica, Thrace, c. 519 - 480 B.C., Silver Dracm10 viewsApollonia Pontica, Thrace, c. 519 - 480 B.C.
Silver drachm, cf. SNG Stancomb 31, SNG Ruse p. 36, HGC 3.2 1321-2, VF, toned, edge cracks, weight 2.593g, maximum diameter 13.2mm, c. 519 - 480 B.C.; obverse inverted anchor, crayfish right; reverse incuse square with cross pattern
Condemned as a forgery by NGCJoe SermariniAug 24, 2023
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 Roman Republic, Mark Antony, Triumvir and Imperator, 44 - 30 B.C., Silver Quinarius12 viewsSilver quinarius, Crawford 489/4; Sear CRI 121; RSC I 82; Sydenham 1159; Kestner 3716; BMCRR Gaul 36, Gallia Transalpina mint, weight 1.623g, maximum diameter 14.1mm, die axis 180o, late summer - autumn 43 B.C.; obverse lituus (augural wand), capis (jug), and raven standing left on ground line; M ANT IMP (ANT ligate) above; reverse Victory standing right, crowning trophy of captured arms standing before her with wreath in her right hand, palm frond over left shoulder in left hand; scarce
Condemned as a modern forgery by NGC. Joe SermariniAug 24, 2023
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 Mark Antony, Triumvir and Imperator, 44 - 30 B.C., LEG XI Denarius23 viewsMark Antony, Triumvir and Imperator, 44 - 30 B.C., LEG XI Denarius
Silver denarius, Crawford 544/25, Sydenham 1229, BMCRR II East 203, RSC I 39, Patrae(?) mint, weight 3.776g, maximum diameter 19.6mm, die axis 0o, 32 - 31 B.C.; obverse ANT•AVG / III VIR•R•P•C, galley right with rowers, mast with banners at prow; reverse LEG - XI, aquila (legionary eagle) between two legionary standards
Condemned by NGC as a modern forgery. Joe SermariniAug 24, 2023
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 Bronze Arrowhead9 viewsFake arrowhead that has been making the rounds, often listed by NFSL eBay sellers such as ancientearth2006 and many others. Seems to be referencing ancient Iranian types such as Khorasani 455, Moorey 64/65, and Muscarella 403.

Identifiable not just by the distinctive shape and proportions, but also by the slightly off-center square-sectioned rib, too thick wings, unconvincing fabric, and fake patina. The collage includes the same cast type from multiple sellers, some of whom are on the NFSL.KamnaskiresAug 04, 2023
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 Pertinax, 31 December 192 - 28 March 193 A.D., denarius Peter Petrov fake3 viewsPertinax, 31 December 192 - 28 March 193 A.D., denarius Peter Petrov fake
Silver denarius, RIC 2, 3.219g, 20.5mm, 0o, obverse IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, Laureate head right; reverse DIS CVSTODIBVS, Fortuna standing left, holding cornucopia and rudder set on globeJoe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Pupienus, 22 April - 29 July 238 A.D., Lipanoff Transfer Die Fake4 viewsPupienus, 22 April - 29 July 238 A.D., Lipanoff Transfer Die Fake
Silver denarius, RIC IV-1 4 (S); RSC III 22, BMCRE VI 46, Hunter III 4, SRCV III 8526, 3.356g, 18.3mm, 180o, Rome mint, 22 Apr - 29 Jul 238 A.D.
Obverse IMP C M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, from behind
Reverse PAX PVBLICA, Pax seated left, olive branch in right hand, transverse scepter in left hand

A Lipanoff forgery, not published by Ilya Prokopov, he published another one from the same emission but from different dies. Lipanoff brothers made at least 2 dies of this emission, the one published by Ilya Prokopov is a recut transfer die. To the unpublished ones, they are pressed and many of them have been sold by fake sellers, style and fabric is from LipanoffJoe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Mark Antony & Julius Caesar Toronto Group Cast Fake3 viewsMark Antony & Julius Caesar Toronto Group Cast Fake
2.625g, 16.8mm, 0
Mark Antony; military mint traveling with Antony in Cisalpine Gaul, 43 BC. Memorial of support by Antony of the recently martyred Caesar.
obv: M ANTO IMP RPC bare head of Antony, bearded, r.; lituus behind
rev: CAESAR DIC laureate head of Julius Caesar, r.; jug behind
So poorly cast it may be a cast of another cast fake.Joe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Pharsalos, Thessaly, Greece, 424 - 404 B.C., Beirut forgery6 viewsPharsalos, Thessaly, Greece, 424 - 404 B.C., Beirut forgery
Silver hemidrachm, BCD Thessaly II 655, HGC 4 634 (S), 2.202g, 17.1mm, 0o, Pharsalos (Farsala, Greece) mint, 424 - 404 B.C.
Obverse head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet with raised cheek-piece, adorned with scrolls and olive twigs
Reverse ΦPΣA, horse's head and neck right, head turned slightly facing, concave field

Beirut forgeryJoe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Pertinax, 31 December 192 - 28 March 193 A.D., Slavey Modern Dies0 viewsPertinax, 31 December 192 - 28 March 193 A.D., Slavey Modern Dies
Silver denarius, RIC IV 4a (R2); BMCRE V p. 2, 9; RSC III 20; Hunter III 2; SRCV II 6041, 3.264g, 19.1mm, 0o, Rome mint, 1 Jan - 28 Mar 193 A.D.
Obverse IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right
Reverse LAETITIA TEMPOR COS II (joyous time, consul two times), Laetitia standing slightly left, head left, wreath in right hand, long scepter vertical in left hand

Published in The Celator Ausgabe 13 vom 01. Januar 1999: Slavey: the truth behind the legend von B. C. Demetriadi p. 25Joe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Nero and Agrippina Sr Silver Denarius Petar Petrov Fake1 viewsNero and Agrippina Sr Silver Denarius Petar Petrov Fake
Silver denarius, RIC I 2; C. 7; BMCRE 3, 3.024g, 19.9mm, 180o, Rome mint, AD 54
Obverse AGRIPP AVG DIVI CLAVD NERONIS CAES MATER, bare-headed bust of Nero to right and draped bust of Agrippina II to left
Reverse NERONI CLAVD DIVI F CAES AVG G]ERM IMP TR P, oak-wreath enclosing EX SC

Petar Petrov, see 8.A _Catalogue_Roman_Denarius number 490 AJoe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Divus Julius Caesar (49-44 BC), with Q. Voconius Vitulus, as Moneyer. AR denarius Petar Petrov Fake3 viewsDivus Julius Caesar (49-44 BC), with Q. Voconius Vitulus, as Moneyer. AR denarius Petar Petrov Fake
Silver denarius, Crawford 526/2. Sydenham 1132. Julia 122 and Voconia 2, 3.850g, 18.4mm, 0o, Rome mint, Q. Voconius Vitulus, moneyer, 40 B.C.
Obverse DIVI•IVLI, laureate head of Divus Julius Caesar right; lituus right behind, dotted border
Reverse bull calf walking left on exergual line, Q•VOCONIVS above, VITVLVS in exergue, dotted border
Petar Petrov 8.A _Catalogue_Roman_Denarius number 203 bJoe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Otho Denarius, Cast, “Dimitrovgrad Studio”1 viewsOtho Denarius, Cast, “Dimitrovgrad Studio”
Obv. IMP M OTHO CAESAR AVG TR P, bare hd r.
Rev SECVRITAS PR, Securitas standing l., holding wreath and sceptre
3.258g, 16.8mm, 180
Cast, “Dimitrovgrad Studio”Joe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Theodosius Lipanoff Fake2 viewsTheodosius Lipanoff Fake Silver Siliqua
3.180g, 19.4mm, 180o
OBV: D N THEODOSIVS P F AVG, diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
REV: VOT V in wreath CΔ in exergue
The Theodosius obverse die is unpublished but the reverse die is from a published Lipanoff Procopius fake
Lipanoff Studio: Catalog of all registered coin Types, Ilya Prokopov, Sofia 2016 p. 201, 419-421Joe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Balbinus Antoninianus Transfer Die Fake0 viewsBalbinus Antoninianus Transfer Die Fake, 5.228g, 22.3mm, 180oJoe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Seleucid Kingdom, Kleopatra Thea & Antiochos VIII Pressed Beirut forgery4 viewsSeleucid Kingdom Cleopatra, and Antiochus VII Silver Tetradrachm"
"SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Kleopatra Thea & Antiochos VIII. 125-121 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 15.63 g,). Damascus mint. Dated SE 192 (121/0 BC). Jugate busts right of Cleopatra Thea, diademed, veiled, and wearing stephane, and Antiochus VIII diademed / Zeus Nikephoros seated left; monogram to outer left, monogram below throne, date in exergue. You can look at the edge it will be equally thick everywhere (because pressed) and most have a very smooth edge with no or only small edge cracks.
Joe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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 Seleukid Kingdom, Demetrius II Nikator, 146 - 138 and 129 - 125 B.C., Tetradrachm, Beirut Forgery, Pressed with Modern Dies1 viewsSeleukid Kingdom, Demetrius II Nikator, 146 - 138 and 129 - 125 B.C., Tetradrachm, Beirut Forgery, Pressed with Modern Dies, 16.096g, 30.4mm, 0o
Joe SermariniJul 27, 2023
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