Dr. Ilya Prokopov's Fake Ancient Coin Reports
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Image search results - "solidus"
Anastasius-Fake-F4.jpg
Anastasius1401 viewsSolidus, well-known fake Sear F4, this example is made to look worn, offered in Germany (July 2009)byzcoll
Solidus_Anthemius.jpg
Anthemius213 viewsSolidus
Obverse: Helmeted pearl-diademed and cuirassed bust of Anthemius ¾ facing to right, with spear held in right hand over shoulder and decorated shield to front right. Text around D N ANTHEM IVS P P AVG.

Reverse: Anthenius and Leo I standing facing side by side, holding between them cross on globe and each holding a spear, city monogram of Rome RM between. Text around SALVS R EIP VBLICAE, in exergue COMOB.

copy mark 'R' on one side

Sold on eBay Feb 2007

Submitted by gmazza
Gustavo Mazzarollo
Arcadius solidus.jpg
Arcadius Ravenna solidus RIC X 1286264 viewsObv: D N ARCADI - VS P F AVG
Bust: Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: VICTORI - A AVGGG
Emperor standing right, holding standard and Victory on globe, with left foot treading upon bound captive, knees bent, seated left; in field: R - V
Exe: COMOB
Mint: Ravenna
Date: 402-408
Ref: RIC 10 1286

Reported by new FORVM member, 3 Jan 2007. Same as eBay coin in previous entry (same photo, too).

Submitted by Hydatius
Hydatius
Arcadius 2.jpg
Arcadius Thessalonica solidus- RIC IX 51var350 viewsObv: D N ARCAD - IVS P F AVG
Pearl and rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: CONCORDI - A AVGGG
Constantinople, helmeted, enthroned facing, head right, right foot on prow, holding in right hand a sceptre and in left a shield, on which is inscribed VOT / V / MVLT / X
Exe: COMOB (should be CONOB)
Mint: Thessalonica
Date: 383-8
Ref: RIC 9 51var (different obverse die break; 9 51 known only from copy in bronze)

The style ldoes not match that of of contemporary Thess. solidi. A virtually identical solidus (including several surface flaws (not die flaws)), but in better shape, was sold by Fritz Rudolf Künker Münzenhandlung Auction 111 lot 7110, 18 March 2006. It too may be a fake, but it may also be the host coin for this cast copy.

Offered for sale on eBay by Serdiko.

Submitted by Hydatius (01/07)
Hydatius
Arcadius_Silver2.jpg
Arcadius, silver solidus (1)395 viewsObv: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
Bust: Helmeted bust facing, diademed, cuirassed, spear in r. hand held over r. shoulder behind head, on l. arm shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy
Rev: CONCORDI-A AVCC A
Constantinoplis enthroned facing, head r., holding sceptre and victory on globe, her right foot on a prow
Exe: CONOB
Date: 397-402 AD.
Mint: Constantinople
Ref: RIC X 7; DOCLR 207-217

Same coin as "silver solidus (2)"

Submitted by Hydatius
1 commentsHydatius
Arcadius_Silver.jpg
Arcadius, silver solidus (2)378 viewsObv: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
Bust: Helmeted bust facing, diademed, cuirassed, spear in r. hand held over r. shoulder behind head, on l. arm shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy
Rev: CONCORDI-A AVCC A
Constantinoplis enthroned facing, head r., holding sceptre and victory on globe, her right foot on a prow
Exe: CONOB
Date: 397-402 AD.
Mint: Constantinople
Ref: RIC X 7; DOCLR 207-217

Same coin as 'silver solidus (1)'

Submitted by Hydatius
1 commentsHydatius
Arcad-RV-Anders.jpg
Arcadius, solidus, RIC X 1286287 viewsObv: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
Bust: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG,
Honorius standing right, holding labarum in right hand and Victory on globe in left, left foot upon prostrate barbarian (one leg, partially bent at knee); "R" in field left, "V" in right
Exe: COMOB
Weight: 3.72 g
Date: 402-408 AD. Ravenna mint
Ref: RIC X 1286

Not made of gold (unknown metal: billon?)

From Anders' private collection (obtained by grandfather in 1917). Same dies as specimen in ANS (obtained 1962)

Becker counterfeit (Hill, pl. XIV, 267)

Submitted by Hydatius
Hydatius
Arcadius_ANS_162.83.24.jpg
Arcadius, solidus, RIC X 1286302 viewsObv: D N ARCADI-VS P F AVG
Bust: Pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG,
Honorius standing right, holding labarum in right hand and Victory on globe in left, left foot upon prostrate barbarian (one leg, partially bent at knee); "R" in field left, "V" in right
Exe: COMOB
Date: 402-408 AD. Ravenna mint
Ref: RIC X 1286

Not made of gold (unknown metal: bronze?)

Specimen held by ANS. Same dies as Anders' specimen (obtained 1917)
Becker counterfeit (Hill, pl. XIV, 267)

Submitted by Hydatius
Hydatius
SolidusOfAvitus.jpg
Avitus Solidus187 viewsObverse: The diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust right of Avitus. Text around D N AVITVS PERPF AVG.

Reverse: Avitus standing right, resting left foot on captive, holding long cross and Victory on globe. Text around VICTORIA AVG GG, across middle A R, exergue COMOB.

REPRODUCTION, has copy mark 'WRL' stamped on one side
Jonah Y
basil-f.JPG
Basiliscus, Solidus, RIC 1003400 viewsObv: D N BASILISCUS P P AVG, Helmeted bust facing, cuirassed, spear in r. hand held over r. shoulder behind head, on l. arm decorated shield (horseman rides down enemy)
Rev: VICTORI-A AVGGG(delta), Victory standing l., supporting long jewelled cross; with star in right field
Exe: CONOB
Date: AD 475-6. Constantinople mint.
Ref: RIC X 1003

Struck Basiliscus solidus in obviously fake style, sold on German Ebay in April 2005.

submitted by Rupert
Rupert
Constans_II.jpg
Constans II73 viewsConstans II with Constantinus IV (641-668), Solidus, Costantinople, AD 654-659
Obv : D N CONSTANTINyS C CONSTAN, crowned bust of Constans facing, bearded and crowned bust facing of Constantinus, beardless, above cross
Rev : VICTORIA AVgy Z, cross potent on three steps below, CONOB.
DOC 25g Sear 959

Modern die, no matches found
Martin B4
constans-gold.jpg
Constans Solidus235 viewsDescribed as "Constans Gold"
CONSTAN-AVGVSTVS, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG, Two Victories facing one another, holding between them a wreath inscribed VOT / X / MVLT / XX in four lines.
Mintmark PAR.

Note the letters AR above the shield, denoting the museum shop in Augusta Raurica, near Basel, Switzerland, which sells these coins for about $15 as souvenirs.
A fantasy coin (this coin was not minted in Arles), sold on ebay in June 2007 by tobias_hotz
This seller sold one on 13th June for 134 Euro, and at the time of writing (24th June) was selling another one.

submitted by Helvetica
1 commentshelvetica
Constans solidus.jpg
Constans solidus RIC Trier 8 135265 viewsObv: CONSTANS - AVGVSTVS
Bust: Pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: VICTORIAE DD NN AVGG
Two victories facing one another, holding between them a wreath inscribed VOT /X / MVLT / XX
Exe: TR
Date: 347-348
Mint: Trier
Ref: RIC 8 Trier 135

Offered for sale on eBay (April 2008)

Submitted by Hydatius.
Hydatius
Constantine_I_AV_Solidus.jpg
Constantine I63 viewsModern forgery of Constantine I solidus of Nicomedia.
constforg.jpg
Constantine Solidus, RIC VI 81558 viewsObv: CONSTAN – TINVS P F AVG Laureate head r. Rev. S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI Aquila between two standards; in exergue, PTR. C 556. RIC 815. Alföldi 507. Depeyrot 17/9

The picture on is from the fake dies, published by Dr. Ilya Prokopov on “COUNTERFEITS OF ROMAN AND BYZANTINE GOLD COINS". The remaining three are likely forgeries created from the same dies.

Credit to the blog Numismaticfakes for the find.
Manuel
cons.jpg
Constantine Solidus, RIC VI 81562 viewsCopy from this dies: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pos=-17978

For sale on Ebay.
1 commentsManuel
FakeConstantiusII.jpg
Constantius II70 viewsSolidus - No diameter or weight given
Obv. FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C Diademed bust of Constantius to r
Rev. CONSTAN TIVS CAESAR Victory adv. to l., holding wreath and palm branch. CONSIH in ex
Struck, "Lipanoff Studio" - Published: Sofia 2004, no.141
Selling as authentic on British ebay Sept 2011
Die Match: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pos=-5344
bobbyhelmet
SolidusOfConstaniusII.jpg
Constantius II Solidus222 viewsObverse: Helmeted and cuirassed three-quarter facing bust of Constantius II, holding spear over right shoulder and shield with horseman motif. Text around FL IVL CONSTANTIVS PERP AVG.

Reverse: Roma and Constantinoplis seated the former facing, the latter turned to the left supporting shield between them inscribed VOT XXX MVLT XXXX in four lines; Constantinopolis holds staff and rests right foot on prow. Text around PROVID DEOR COS II, in exergue KONS.
Diameter: 2cm

REPRODUCTION, has copy mark 'R' stamped on one side
Jonah Y
Constantius II3.jpg
Constantius II solidus RIC 8 Ant 84519 viewsObv: FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG
Bust: Rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: GLORIA-REI-PVBLICAE
Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned, supporting a shield inscribed VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX
Exe: SMANH
Mint: Antioch
Weight: 4.5 g
Date: 347-353
Ref: RIC 8 Antioch 84

First published in Bulletin on Counterfeits Vol 1, No 2, May
1976, page 30

A very good and very frequently appearing fake
Easily identified by the flaw on the reverse at 4 o’clock
Sold by EFTIS (obviously) June 2005
NOTE: THIS IS THE SAME COIN AS BELOW, JUST A DIFFERENT REVERSE PHOTO

Description by Hydatius
wolfgang336
1.jpg
Constantius II solidus RIC 8 Ant 84388 viewsObv: FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG
Bust: Rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: GLORIA-REI-PVBLICAE
Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned, supporting a shield inscribed VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX
Exe: SMANH
Mint: Antioch
Date: 347-353
Ref: RIC 8 Antioch 84

First published in Bulletin on Counterfeits Vol 1, No 2, May
1976, page 30

A very good and very frequently appearing fake

Description by Hydatius
Joe Sermarini
62_1_b.jpg
Constantius II solidus RIC 8 Ant 84570 viewsObv: FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG
Bust: Rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: GLORIA-REI-PVBLICAE
Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned, supporting a shield inscribed VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX
Exe: SMANH
Mint: Antioch
Date: 347-353
Ref: RIC 8 Antioch 84

First published in Bulletin on Counterfeits Vol 1, No 2, May
1976, page 30

A very good and very frequently appearing fake
Easily identified by the flaw on the reverse at 4 o’clock

Description by Hydatius
Joe Sermarini
ConstantiusII2.jpg
Constantius II solidus RIC 8 Ant 84470 viewsObv: FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG
Bust: Rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: GLORIA-REI-PVBLICAE
Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned, supporting a shield inscribed VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX
Exe: SMANH
Mint: Antioch
Date: 347-353
Ref: RIC 8 Antioch 84

First published in Bulletin on Counterfeits Vol 1, No 2, May
1976, page 30

A very good and very frequently appearing fake
Easily identified by the flaw on the reverse at 4 o’clock
Sold by EFTIS (obviously) June 2005
NOTE: THIS IS THE SAME COIN AS ABOVE, JUST A DIFFERENT REVERSE PHOTO

Submitted by Hydatius
Hydatius
constantius II.jpg
Constantius II solidus RIC 8 Ant 84404 viewsObv: FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG
Bust: Rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: GLORIA-REI-PVBLICAE
Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned, supporting a shield inscribed VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX
Exe: SMANH
Mint: Antioch
Weight: 4.55 g
Date: 347-353
Ref: RIC 8 Antioch 84

First published in Bulletin on Counterfeits Vol 1, No 2, May
1976, page 30

A very good and very frequently appearing fake
Easily identified by the flaw on the reverse at 4 o’clock
Sydney coin dealer obtained it from Lebanon, July 2006

Submitted by Hydatius
Hydatius
ConstantiusII3a.jpg
Constantius II solidus RIC 8 Ant 84486 viewsObv: FL IVL CONSTAN-TIVS PERP AVG
Bust: Rosette diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: GLORIA-REI-PVBLICAE
Roma and Constantinopolis enthroned, supporting a shield inscribed VOT / XX / MVLT / XXX
Exe: SMANH
Mint: Antioch
Date: 347-353
Ref: RIC 8 Antioch 84

First published in Bulletin on Counterfeits Vol 1, No 2, May
1976, page 30

A very good and very frequently appearing fake
Easily identified by the flaw on the reverse at 4 o’clock
Offered for sale by Gorny & Mosch sale 152 lot 2452, 10 October 2006 (tsk, tsk)
Submitted by Hydatius
Hydatius
135 files on 6 page(s) 1

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