Ancient coin?

[johnny211]

This subforum has caused me to read an inordinate amount about metals, minting, coins and money lately. Thank you!

Going through some old stuff this weekend I found this coin https://imgur.com/a/UiRVb

A few hours of searching has me thinking it is a Roman "City Commemorial" Coin (*iopolis?), minted in Lyon (mint mark "PLC"?). I've found quite a few images of coins with very similar designs but not exactly this one.

How can I more precisely figure out what it is, if it's "real" and if it has any numismatic value?

Most coins seem to be right-facing, is there some significance to the face facing left in these?

[Zepher]

There is absolutely no way I can tell if that coin is real or not just from the photos. It appears to be in fantastic condition considering its' age, which if genuine would be around 1700 years old. I think the coin would also be made of bronze.

You need to take something like this to a specialist, if it is real it would be worth a pretty satoshi.

[henkcryptotank]

Ancient coin collector here, but not a ´huge expert´.
I have friends who know a lot about the subject.
First glance for me, it looks fake or a barbarous strike ( made in a way as a copy, in ancient times)
I will show it to a buddy of mine, see what he has to say.

´ if it is real it would be worth a pretty satoshi.`
A lot of roman bronze coins, are in fact not worth a lot, just because you see them so frequently.
The coin has to be scarce. Its a huge market.

Greets Hank

[Lesbian Cow]

Ancient coin collector here, but not a ´huge expert´.
I have friends who know a lot about the subject.
First glance for me, it looks fake or a barbarous strike ( made in a way as a copy, in ancient times)
I will show it to a buddy of mine, see what he has to say.

´ if it is real it would be worth a pretty satoshi.`
A lot of roman bronze coins, are in fact not worth a lot, just because you see them so frequently.
The coin has to be scarce. Its a huge market.

Greets Hank

Hank,

To me the one shown in OP's photo looks to be cast not struck.  I can see air bubbles on the surface.  That would indicate modern replica, no?

Just my thoughts, not an expert on ancients.

OP, if you post the photo here:  www.reddit.com/r/ancientcoins  you will get an answer.

[henkcryptotank]

So i showed it to a buddy who is a pro,
and indeed its city commemorative, from the Constantine era 

Greets Hank

[krogothmanhattan]

Good question...interesting articles as follows

http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/fakes/fakesgiveaways.htm


http://www.mindspring.com/~kroh/Empirecoins/fakes.html


http://www.ebay.com.au/gds/SPOTTING-FAKE-SILVER-ROMAN-COINS-WITH-ACTUAL-PICTURES-/10000000001423875/g.html

[johnny211]

Thank you all! Lots of interesting stuff to chew on here. Great way to kick-start an interest a mystery find like this

[otrkid70]

The coin is Constantine Early 4Th century. Chinese cast coin.

Not real.

[Rmcdermott927]

There is absolutely no way I can tell if that coin is real or not just from the photos. It appears to be in fantastic condition considering its' age, which if genuine would be around 1700 years old. I think the coin would also be made of bronze.

You need to take something like this to a specialist, if it is real it would be worth a pretty satoshi.

+1

Agreed, bring this to a coin dealer or have it verified through a grading service which also verifies authenticity.    This is amazing condition considering the coins age.     The fact that there is little to no wear and all of the details of the coin design are visible and not faded would make this highly sought after if authentic.

[Lesbian Cow]

There is absolutely no way I can tell if that coin is real or not just from the photos. It appears to be in fantastic condition considering its' age, which if genuine would be around 1700 years old. I think the coin would also be made of bronze.

You need to take something like this to a specialist, if it is real it would be worth a pretty satoshi.

+1

Agreed, bring this to a coin dealer or have it verified through a grading service which also verifies authenticity.    This is amazing condition considering the coins age.     The fact that there is little to no wear and all of the details of the coin design are visible and not faded would make this highly sought after if authentic.

While both pcgs and NGC will grade ancients on strike and surface they do not guarantee authenticity even when slabbed.    I learned this in an an unfortunate mannner. 

[ChiBitCTy]

There is absolutely no way I can tell if that coin is real or not just from the photos. It appears to be in fantastic condition considering its' age, which if genuine would be around 1700 years old. I think the coin would also be made of bronze.

You need to take something like this to a specialist, if it is real it would be worth a pretty satoshi.

+1

Agreed, bring this to a coin dealer or have it verified through a grading service which also verifies authenticity.    This is amazing condition considering the coins age.     The fact that there is little to no wear and all of the details of the coin design are visible and not faded would make this highly sought after if authentic.

While both pcgs and NGC will grade ancients on strike and surface they do not guarantee authenticity even when slabbed.    I learned this in an an unfortunate mannner. 

Not even denarius like this where they don't even receive number grading?

[Lesbian Cow]

Yes

[ChiBitCTy]

Yes

Still a solid set of eyes vs none at all I suppose - https://www.ngccoin.com/specialty-services/ancient-coins/guarantee.aspx

[henkcryptotank]

There is absolutely no way I can tell if that coin is real or not just from the photos. It appears to be in fantastic condition considering its' age, which if genuine would be around 1700 years old. I think the coin would also be made of bronze.

You need to take something like this to a specialist, if it is real it would be worth a pretty satoshi.

+1

Agreed, bring this to a coin dealer or have it verified through a grading service which also verifies authenticity.    This is amazing condition considering the coins age.     The fact that there is little to no wear and all of the details of the coin design are visible and not faded would make this highly sought after if authentic.

Dont wanna be a buzzkill, and its absolutely not worthless, but its not a very rare coin, even in its condition. Still a Nice coin though, and a nice start of a collection for sure!

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/coins_to_medals/37/product/constantine_i_ae3_city_commemorative__victory_on_prow__antioch_mint/83063/Default.aspx