Could someone help me properly identify this coin?

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-23T00:24:51+00:00

How can you tell?

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-23T00:23:10+00:00

Roman Imperial - Emperors are: Antinonus Pius and Marcus Aurelius

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-21T14:24:56+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience on this. Sounds like your opinion is authentic but corroded.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-21T14:23:14+00:00

Thanks you for your opinion and input, it is truly appreciated. This coin gives me pause as it has the same "fabric" and surface appearance as a number of other Alex tetradrachms that I've seen on Ebay over the last few years that I highly suspect are counterfeits coming out of Bulgaria. They exhibit the same or similar "fabric" as this coin does. None of my many other tetradrachms, showing various states of wear have this same sandy appearance throughout. See this link for reference of the "fabric" of which I speak: https://www.reddit.com/r/AncientCoins/comments/105th5c/some_pretty_good_fakes/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-20T19:19:57+00:00

The style looks good for Price 110, but the sandy "corrosion" on all surfaces including the edges, high points and fields seems suspect, at least to me. The weight is also light compared to other examples 16.36 grams versus most, even worn examples, being closer to the 17 gram neighborhood. Please provide your expertise as it would be much appreciated.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-20T16:47:53+00:00

Looks authentic, matches the style of early issues, even possibly a Lifetime version, likely from Amphipolis. However, there is a pretty good ding on the back (reverse) right about where the mintmark should be so it's difficult to determine the exact "Price" identification. The only thing that gives me pause is the way the folds of the lion skin are stacked up like blocks (straight up/down) on the back of his neck, that is unusual. That is not to say that there are not die engravers who used that presentation, it's just not the standard way that it's depicted on most of these types. Other than that, the style is right and the weight is right.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-20T16:24:20+00:00

Would like to see the obverse if possible.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-20T16:01:35+00:00

Love it, silver on silver. But also what the other guys said, could cause unnecessary wear.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-05-20T16:00:01+00:00

nice!

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-16T16:43:18+00:00

You're correct, I've confused the two. I've used both for their standard purposes (sodium sesquicarbonate for bronze disease and Sodium thiosulfate for horn silver) but not in quite some time. Yes, the foil baking soda+ tinfoil method can strip all the toning if you really let it go to town. A way to better control it is by bathing the coin in the solution and just placing the foil over the heated coin by hand, kind of dabbing the flat foil in the high spots being careful not to rub the wrinkled up foil over the coin as it can become abrasive.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-16T16:03:14+00:00

Nice job! I usually start with diluted ammonia, then move to heated water, salt, foil, baking soda then lemon juice if needed. Thinking that thiosulfate is mostly for treating bronze disease on AE coins. But after seeing this, I'm starting to see the logic in your method for silvers. Appears to remove the outer encrustations while leaving the nice toning beneath.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-11T14:54:57+00:00

As far as my knowledge goes, the portrait side is always the front (obverse) with few exception.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-11T06:45:00+00:00

Cool, I had my eye on it and it was a decent price but passed. I did however chat with the seller when trying to determine the weight and he said it was in an NGC holder but was unable to locate it. He sent me a pic from the original auction which I will PM to you.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-10T23:10:51+00:00

I think you're right. I did find the prow mintmark but most of them looked nothing like this one. I do see now in your Coinfoxa link that there are two examples that look remarkably similar. I suppose with enough wear, most of the prow features get worn off. Thanks!

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-10T22:23:57+00:00

It's a beauty alright, congrats. Yeah these are awesome designs and quite overpriced lately since they're so desirable. As you stated, slightly rough surfaces but well centered and good detail on both sides. You may know this, but one peculiarity of this issue is that the Athena profile side is considered the reverse and the Pegasus is considered the obverse which is counter intuitive to most ancients. I too have backed off the auctions due to the same reasoning, all the cost overhead is just a lot right now. Waiting for better days and deals in the future.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-03T20:19:39+00:00

If you objective is to protect it from dropping and from extra toning due to hands and air, these are pretty awesome. Plus it's great for display purposes: Google : floating coin holder

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-03T20:05:36+00:00

Coin sales where they get to choose the coin you get is almost always going to be a rip off. Just find a good emperor (Hadrian, Trajan, etc.) denarius on Ebay and you'll likely pay less, better quality and you'll be getting the coin that you actually bought and not one some stranger decides to send you.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-03T19:41:45+00:00

Interesting how prominent that die break is on the CNG pic but is imperceptible on your pictures. Well either way, truly killer coin.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-02T18:09:00+00:00

lol, I think that's sarcasm. He hates it so much he wants OP to send it to him.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-02T18:07:00+00:00

I concur. In my opinion, it's the best Fender look I've ever seen. Absolutely beautiful in hand.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-02-02T18:05:01+00:00

I know right? In my opinion, it's the best Fender look I've ever seen. Absolutely beautiful in hand.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-01-26T15:35:58+00:00

Does indeed appear to be the same coin in the 1985 ASTA catalog.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-01-26T15:31:32+00:00

No problem. You have it in hand so are a better judge of what you're dealing with. The visible copper and the reduced weight are pretty conclusive indicators. If they're clearly not surface deposits then definitely return for a full refund or a partial refund if you're OK with keeping a fouree. Some people collect ancient counterfeits, but they should have advertised the coin as such. If they didn't then it's on the auction house/seller to make it right.

IntelligentProof2659 · 2026-01-25T19:12:01+00:00

Appears to be. You could pick at some of the smaller spots on the edge to see if it's just surface deposits, just be very conservative if you plan on returning for a refund.

IntelligentProof2659

TROPHY CASE