Posted 8 years ago
martika
(149 items)
I bought this coin last year at a car boot sale from curiosity. The seller told me it's Byzantine and wasn't able to give me more info. It is around 2 cm in diameter. I don't know anything about coins and not much about the Byzantine Empire. Nothing similar showed up at the google search.
The Empire existed from the 5th century AD until the 15th century, when Constantinopolis (Byzantium) fell into the hands of Turks. So the age of the coin can range from 600 to 1600 years. Or maybe it is only a fake. I would be grateful for somebody enlighten me. Thank you!!! :)))
I think they would have stamped the image back then, this looks like it was casted ?
Thank you Dave for your comment - I wouldn't be surprised if it would turn out as a fake. I paid only around £5 for it, that time I thought what a good price.
Thank you Thomas, Olebodie and Bonnie for loving it :)
Don't have my books handy but this coin does look genuine.
Oh, this is really amazing!! Sounds like you did pretty good!!!
I'm in the mood to disagree with somebody has taken both sides ! LOL! Guess I'll have to find another poste to be obnoxious on. LOL!
Disagree BB2 we like it when Your a Little Sh*t! lol
I'll try not to let you down.
Thank you guys, now I just have to figure out who is right. lol
Thanks to Dave, Militarist, Jscott0363 and Blunderbuss2 for making an effort to solve it and thanks to everybody for stopping by and loving it!!!
Even an expert couldn't be held to an opinion based on nothing but pix.
Yes, BB2, it's true.
The likelihood of it being real is high. Antique coins are very common and, at least here, found at prices that seem incredibly low (especially when a lot of more modern coins go for so much higher).
My best guess is that more visually appealing (less crude, not dug-condition, extant countries') coins are what sell higher rather than these ancient coins from countries that no longer exist.
Metal detectors have dropped the bottom out of ancient coins. Nice Roman coins now sell for just a couple of bucks.
Thank you Spiritbear and BB2 for your good info!!!
The M would seem to indicate a Byzantine AE Follis, but stylistically it doesn't look quite right. My best guess would be that it could be an Arabic imitation of a Byzantine Follis, which were also quite common c. 700 AD. I see what dizzydave means about casting - particularly the reverse gives me that impression, particularly around the edges. For the life of me I don't know why modern forgers would waste time casting a coin that is worth a few dollars at best. Very interesting discussion - perhaps it was struck on a cast flan? Difficult to tell without examining under high magnification, especially the edges.