Fakes-Altered

Fake and Altered Ancient Coins

This collection is being assembled to show all sorts of fakes of ancient coins, made in modern times. Fake coins, made in ancient times, are a different subject, and were created to be counterfeits. The specimens shown in this collection were made for various reasons. Some are tourist fakes, and usually sold as such and some were made so the common person could have an example of a terribly rare coin that would normally not ever be available. Others were made to be used in jewelry and some are made to be thought of as real to defraud unsuspecting collectors.

There have been some famous artists/forgers throughout history and some modern forgers who still practice their skills. One such person is a Bulgarian by the name of Slavey Petrov, or "Slavey" as to whom he is more commonly referred.

A website on forgeries, Forgery Network, is an independent database maintained by dealers and the public, to help eliminate forgeries being sold as authentic in the marketplace. Some warning - when the site went live, anyone could add material to this site anonymously, so authentic coins will be included. There is no process for validating by experts if entries are authentic or forgeries except to read opinions as to what people (any given person) think about a given piece. That policy may have changed by now, but I haven't checked.

Greek
	Attica-Athens, AR Obol, c.4th Centuries BC, Uncertain Eastern Imitation (No legend) Helmeted head of Athena right, helmet with undecorated bowl AQE Owl standing right, head facing, olive spray behind 9mm x 10mm, 1.05g Ex Bassem Daou, eBay, January 2009 - returned for refund February 2009 Note: The top specimen is the example I received, the bottom specimen is from the same dies, but a weight of 0.65g. I do not know know who owns the second example.
	Attica-Athens, AR Obol, c.4th Centuries BC, Uncertain Eastern Imitation (No legend) Helmeted head of Athena right, helmet decorated with three olive leaves AQE Owl standing right, head facing, olive spray behind 9mm, 1.03g Ex Bassem Daou, eBay, January 2009 - returned for refund February 2009
	Lesbos-Mytilene, EL Hekte, c.350-330 BC (Modern Fake - Becker, c.1812-1830) (No legend) Head of Jupiter left, dotted border (No legend) Facing head of satyr in linear square 11mm x 12mm, 2.44g Bodenstedt F14; Weber III, 5642; Hill, Becker 93 (same dies) Notes from John Lavender: Bodenstedt F14 = Weber 5642 (also = Hill, Becker 93, same dies). Bodenstedt’s prefix F stands for Fälschungen (false, forgery). Unlike some other electrum coins, say some Celtic and some Byzantine, those covered by Bodenstedt are never silver in appearance. This specimen is interesting in that it is a Becker (fl. ca. 1812-1830) forgery (perhaps a restrike, as the original dies were used throughout the 19^th century to strike copies).
	Alexander III the Great, AR Tetradrachm, 336-323 BC (Lifetime Issue), Macedonian Kingdom, Cilicia-Tarsos (No legend) Head of Herakles right, wearing lion-skin headdress ALEXANDROU Zeus seated left, eagle in right hand, scepter in left Plow in left field, Q below seat 25mm x 27mm, 15.83g Price -- (cf. Price 3021 drachm) Note: Coin returned to supplier as a suspected fake (June 2007, top photo). Confirmed fake with another example on a different flan and a weight of 15.40g turning up on May 8, 2008 (bottom photo). Stylistically and weight-wise, this is way off from official Tarsos issues. They do appear to be struck and in hand would pass for an authentic coin if the buyer is unfamiliar with types from Tarsos.
Roman Imperatorial
	Brutus, "AR" Denarius, Late summer-autumn 42 BC, mint moving with Brutus in Northern Greece, L. Plaetorius Cestianus magistrate L . PLAET . CEST BRVT IMP Bare head of Brutus right EID . MAR Pileus between two daggers pointing downward, small R below pileus 20mm, 2.77g Crawford 508/3; Cahn 23/21a (obv./rev.; same reverse die); CRI 216; Sydenham 1301; BMCRR East 68; RSC 15 for authentic Ex Bassem Daou, offered as authentic (but purchased knowing it was a reproduction) Note: This was a reproduction created as a promotional item for an Italian confectionary company in the 20th century. Interestingly enough, there is silvering in some of the crevices, so this may originally have been a piece plated with some white metal. Bassem offered it to me as an authentic Roman coin, which I bought knowing it was a reproduction since this issue was not produced in bronze. Authentic denarii of this type are around 18-20mm or so, but weigh around the range of 3.50-3.65g.
	Brutus, AR Denarius, Late summer-autumn 42 BC, mint moving with Brutus in Northern Greece, L. Plaetorius Cestianus magistrate L . PLAET . CEST BRVT IMP Bare head of Brutus right EID . MAR Pileus between two daggers pointing downward, small R below pileus 20mm, 3.32g Crawford 508/3; Cahn 23/21a (obv./rev.; same reverse die); CRI 216; Sydenham 1301; BMCRR East 68; RSC 15 for authentic Ex Twelve Caesars, sold as part of Slavey Petrov Roman set
Roman Imperial
	Augustus, AV Quinarius, 7 AD, Lugdunum AVGVSTVS DIVI F Laureate head right [T]R POT XXX Victory, draped, seated right on globe, holding wreath in both hands 3.90g RIC I 217; Lyon 80; Bahrfelt 229; BMCRE 505; BN 1679-80 . . . Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XI, Lot 859, January 2008 Good VF, twice holed, minor marks in fields and on edge in top photo as it was sold in the Triton XI auction. The bottom photo is one a friend of mine took in April 2009 as the coin now appears in restored form. Here are his comments - "thank you for the notice as we bought the coin from a reputable (?) dealer we did not make detailed research about it, but there is no doubt: it's the same coin. The marks in the fields look compatible with ground marks and nothing can let us guess it is such unbelievable restoration work. We can assure that also at the 20X loupe there is no evidence of soldering or changes in metal where the holes were - even if now we know were we should see them.... the craftsman who made this should be very skill in his art." Note: Authentic, but drastically altered (restored). Returned to the seller from whom my friend bought the coin.
	Octavian/Augustus, "AR" Denarius 23mm, 5.87g RIC 269a for type Ex Bassem Daou, November, 2003, purchased as a forgery Unknown origin. Appears to be a struck piece, but made of base metal (bronze?).
	Vespasian, AR Denarius, 69-71, Rome IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head right CAESAR AVG F COS CAESAR AVG F PR Bare heads of Titus and Domitian facing each other 17mm x 18mm, 3.12g RIC II, 2 (S for authentic) Unknown origin. Apparently a very high quality cast fake. The edge splits are convincing in hand and I bought this piece as authentic. Very micro-porous surface, but not rough. Device edges not as sharp as one would expect on a real specimen. Returned for refund, November 2007. Credit to Cliff Laubstein for discovering this piece and bringing it to my attention.
	Hadrian, AR Denarius, 128-129 (?), Undetermined Eastern Mint HADRIANVS-AVGVSTVS P P Laureate head right COS-III Minerva seated left on cuirass and shield, Victory in right hand, cornucopiae in left 17mm x 19mm, 2.74g RIC II, 333 (Rome); Strack 41 Ex Serbitar Classical Art, eBay, March 2006 Note: Modern forgery as discovered in December 2008
	Hadrian, AR Denarius, 131-138 (?), Undetermined Eastern Mint HADRIANVS-AVG COS III P P Bare head right AEGYPTOS Egypt reclining left, sistrum in right hand, left arm resting on modius filled with grain ears, ibis at feet 18mm x 20mm, 3.39g RIC II, 297 (Rome) Ex Gantcho Zagorski, eBay, June 2006 Note: This specimen is a modern (Bulgarian?) forgery. I saw another example for sale by Gantcho Zagorski on eBay in 2008, but cannot find the image to compare. Update - 03-18-2009: The bottom example was found being sold by Gantcho Zagorski (dianacoins) on eBay by Michael Kelly. Note the reverse die match, but now paired with a Rome (!) mint obverse die.
	Roman Imperial, Antoninus Pius, AR Quinarius, 139, First Issue, Rome ANTONINVS-IMP T AEL CAES HADR Bare head right AVG PIVS P-M TR P COS II Victory advancing left, wreath upward in right hand, palm in left over shoulder 15mm x 16mm, 2.29g cf. RIC III, 25 (for denarius and Victory right) Unknown origin. Poor quality cast fake. Mushy details, casting pimples on surface, no metallic ring sound. Note - RIC does not list any silver quinarii, nor a Victory left for any denomination, for Antoninus Pius in the First Issue.
	Faustina I, AR Denarius DIVA FAVSTINA Draped bust right AV_GV_STA Fortuna standing left, holding patera and rudder on globe 19mm x 20mm, 3.31g Unknown origin. Appears to be white-metal washed copper.
	Septimius Severus, AR Denarius SEVERVS AVG PART MAX Laureate head right PVDICITIA AVG Pudicitia seated left 17mm x 18mm, 3.59g Donated by Keith Metzer Unknown origin. Ugly metal - tin? Completely wrong style.
	Caracalla, AR Denarius ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right SPES PVBLICA Spes standing left, hitching skirt and holding flower 19mm x 20mm, 3.51g Donated by Keith Metzer Unknown origin. Ugly metal - tin? Completely wrong style.
	Geta, AR Denarius, 203 (?), Laodicea ad Mare P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust right seen from behind SEVERI PII AVGG II Lituus, knife, ewer, simpulum, aspergillum 20mm, 3.54g RIC IV, Part I, 107 Image taken from an on-line store before it was deleted - looks like an unpublished Lipanoff forgery, possibly cast based on the surface problems. Note: The reverse legend is incorrect. It should read SEVERI PII AVG FIL and apparently the engraver was looking at a worn specimen and did not understand AVG FIL and instead engraved AVGG II. Also, although the portrait is pretty nice, the reverse style is too lifeless, the reverse legend engraved completely wrong and the flan is clearly modern.
	Pertinax, AR Denarius IMP CAES P AEL V PERTIN AVG Laureate head right AEQVIT AVG TR P COS II Aequitas standing left holding cornucopiae and scales 18mm x 19mm, 3.05g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	Pescennius Niger, AR Denarius IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST COS II Laureate head right APOLLIN_I SANCTO Apollo standing left, leaning on column 20mm x 22mm, 3.13g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	Pescennius Niger, AR Denarius IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST COS II Laureate head right CONCORDIA AVG Concordia seated left 19mm x 20mm, 3.56g Donated by Keith Metzer Note: This cast is very interesting as the obverse is a die link to the Slavey piece with Apollini Sancto reverse. This example is a base metal product and not made by Slavey, so someone is taking Slavey's work, creating casts from the dies and making new pieces. Thus, all sorts of invalid obverse/reverse combinations may be found, depending on how prolific this forger is/was.
	Julia Paula, AE Sestertius IVLIA PAVLA AVG Draped bust right, stephane in hair CONCORDIA Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopiae * in left field SC in exergue 34mm RIC IV, Part II, 381 for type Unknown origin.
	Gordian I, AR Denarius, 238, Rome IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind SECVRITAS AVGG Securitas seated left, scepter in right hand 17mm, 3.64g RIC IV, 5 (R2) for authentic Ex Bassem Daou, July 2005, sold as a forgery Apparently machine pressed as there are no traces of casting. Intentionally worn to the current grade so as to defraud. Still, even in this condition it is an obvious forgery with the fields too flat and lacking all attempts at looking hand struck. If the flan were properly prepared and the piece hand struck, it would probably make a fairly convincing forgery. At 3.64g, it is heavier than the observed range of 2.54g-3.20g from the Coin Archives database, yet smaller than the 20-21mm observed range.
	Gordian III, AR Antoninianus, 242-244, Antioch IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind PAX-AVGVSTI Pax running left, branch upward in right hand, scepter in left 20mm x 21mm, 4.36g RIC IV, Part III, 214 (R) for authentic Ex Vel Garnett Collection Vel apparently bought this specimen as an authentic example of RIC 214 based on the attribution tag. In hand, the flan is too perfect, the metal appears to be very high quality silver and the lettering style, portrait and bust type are incorrect for the issue. No flow lines or cast seem, so this is most likely a pressed fake.
	Galerius as Caesar, AE Follis, 300-301, Group I, Class VII, Antioch, Officina 7 GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES Laureate head right GENIO POPV_LI ROMANI Genius standing facing, modius on head left, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, liquors flowing from patera in right hand, cornucopiae in left K \| Z / V across fields ANT in exergue 26mm x 28mm, 10.49g RIC VI, 55b (C2) Cast, edge seam, fuzzy details, numerous surface casting pockets. Acquired as genuine in February 2010 as part of a group lot via a small image on-line. I will probably keep this one for my black cabinet instead of returning it for a refund.
	Constantius I, AR Argenteus CONSTAN_TIVS CAES Laureate head right VIRTVS MILITVM Four princes sacrificing in front of campgate with six turrets 17mm x 18mm, 2.46g Ex Herakles Numismatics, November 2003, sold as a forgery Unknown origin. Looks and sounds like silver
	Maximianus, AR Argenteus, 307-310, Group IV, Rome, Officina 2 IMP MAXIM_IANVS P F AVG Laureate head right VIRTVS-MILITVM Campgate with eight rows, no doors, three turrets, top and bottom rows empty blocks RS in exergue 18mm x 20mm, 3.74g (size is correct, expected avg. weight is 3.40g for series) RIC VI, 192 (R3) for authentic Ex Herakles Numismatics, November 2003, sold as a forgery Unknown origin. Machine pressed or cast? Obvious forgery in hand. Style is unconvincing, fields are flat and lifeless, edge is rounded (to remove casting line?). Looks and sounds like silver.
	Impossible mule of an AE3 of Constantine I obverse and Judean AE Prutah reverse 16mm x 18mm, 1.63g Made for distribution by Reader's Digest
	Valens, AR Siliqua, Quinquennalia of 368, Constantinople D N VALENS-P F AVG Pearl-diademed bust left in imperial mantle, mappa in right hand, short scepter in left over shoulder VOTA-PV_BLICA Valentinian and Valens, nimbate, draped in imperial mantle, seated facing on throne, each raising mappa and holding scepter, captive seated on ground on either side * CONS wreath in exergue 20mm x 21mm, 3.31g RIC IX, 29b; Depeyrot 22/2. Bastien, Vota Publica, Q. Tic XIV, 1985, 15 (R3) Supposedly found in Great Britain. I acquired this item from eBay in April 2008 from a seller who only described it as "Silver Roman Coin". This coin, from the photo, appears to be a white-metal cast from a wax mold made from a mid-grade solidus. Note - this coin is only known in a solidus module and is quite rare. An odd choice from which to make an off-metal fake! When it arrives, I will see if I can conserve it and perhaps someone will be able to tie it to a specific forger or workshop. The piece arrived and it's a really low quality cast in uncertain white metal. Click here for a discussion on ancients.info about the piece.
	Theodosius II, AV Solidus, c.403-408, Constantinople, Officina 10 D N THEODO_SIVS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, shield with horse and rider design in left hand, spear in right hand over right shoulder CONCORDI_A AVGG I Constantinopolis enthroned facing, helmeted head right, scepter in right hand, Victory on globe in left hand, right foot on prow * in left field CONOB in exergue 19mm x 21mm, 4.41g RIC X, 31 (Arcadius) (R2) Ex German auction house/numismatic dealer, sold as authentic - returned April, 2009 Note: IBSCC Bulletin on Counterfeits BOCS Vol 2 No.4 Page 93 Ro18. This coin has been condemned by the IBSCC. Refer Bulletin on Counterfeits reference above. "Slightly matt 'satin' finish: a dangerous counterfeit"
	Honorius, AV Solidus, 408-420, Constantinople, Officina 1 D N HONORI_VS P F AVG Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, shield with horse and rider design in left hand, spear in right hand over right shoulder CONCORDI_A AVGG A Constantinopolis enthroned facing, head right, scepter in right hand, Victory on globe in left hand, right foot on prow * in left field CONOB in exergue ?mm, ?g RIC X, 201 (Theodosius II) (R) Unknown origin. Machine pressed or cast? I saw this piece for sale briefly on-line before the dealer deleted it after being advised it's a fake, so I do not have the size and weight.
	Honorius, AV Solidus Image source: eBay auction by seller id "ancientart-jerusalem" - offered as genuine, April 2009
	Honorius, AV Solidus Image source: eBay auction by seller id "saxbys-coins" - offered as genuine, April 2009
	21mm x 23mm, 3.52g Donated by Kevin Barry Unknown origin. Base metal - copper or bronze?
	19mm x 20mm, 3.43g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	20mm, 3.67g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	19mm, 3.37g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	20mm, 3.51g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	19mm x 20mm, 3.70g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	20mm x 21mm, 3.46g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	19mm, 3.80g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	19mm, 2.96g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	18mm x 19mm, 2.65g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	19mm x 20mm, 3.40g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	19mm x 20mm, 3.60g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	20mm x 21mm, 3.24g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	20mm x 21mm, 3.63g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	20mm, 3.28g Made by Slavey Petrov in sterling silver
	19mm, 3.23g
	34mm, 18.60g


Roman Provincial
	Vespasian, AR Tetradrachm, Year 2, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate head right, regnal year in right field ALEXAN_DRIA Alexandria, winged, standing left, wreath in right hand, palm in left 24mm x 26mm, 10.37g Emmett 202 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Trajan, "AR" Tetradrachm, Year 12, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate head right Agathodaemon 22mm x 23mm, 9.32g Emmett 369 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Trajan, AR Tetradrachm, Year 5, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate head right Trophy with two captives beneath 23mm, 10.95g Emmett 394 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Hadrian, AR Tetradrachm, Year 8, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate head right Canopus of Isis 22mm x 24mm, 9.69g Emmett 828 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Hadrian, AR Tetradrachm, Year 21, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate head right Demeter standing left with corn ears and torch 22mm x 24mm, 10.38g Emmett 832 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Hadrian, AR Tetradrachm, Year 6, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate head right, drapery on left shoulder Emperor in Quadriga 22mm x 24mm, 9.80g Emmett 844 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Hadrian, AR Tetradrachm, Year 15, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind Emperor and Alexandria standing clasping hands, standard between them 23mm x 25mm, 10.29g Emmett 845 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Hadrian, "AR" Tetradrachm, Year 12, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind Clasped Hands 24mm x 26mm, 9.19g Emmett 848 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Hadrian, AR Tetradrachm, Year 14, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind Radiate, draped bust of Helios right 22mm x 24mm, 9.22g Emmett 852 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Hadrian, AR Tetradrachm, Year 19, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate head left Laureate, draped bust of Sarapis right 22mm x 25mm, 9.67g Emmett 889 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Hadrian, "AR" Tetradrachm, Year 19, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate head left Laureate, draped bust of Sarapis right 22mm x 25mm, 10.12g Emmett 889 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find. Both Emmett 889 pieces, even though different weights, are exactly the same size and every edge bump, dent and "imperfection" are exactly identical.
	Antoninus Pius, "AR" Tetradrachm, Year 2, Egypt-Alexandria Bare head right, drapery on left shoulder Canopus of Osiris 22mm x 23mm, 10.88g Emmett 1373 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Antoninus Pius, "AR" Tetradrachm, Year 6, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind Phoenix, radiate, standing right 22mm x 23mm, 10.28g Emmett 1419 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Antoninus Pius, AR Tetradrachm, Year 5, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind Poseidon standing right, left foot on prown, dolphin in left hand, trident in right 22mm x 24mm, 9.87g Emmett 1421 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Lucius Verus, AR Tetradrachm, Year 3, Egypt-Alexandria Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust left, seen from behind Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus standing, clasping hands 21mm x 24mm, 9.73g Emmett 2343 Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud. Feels and looks convincing in hand if handled quickly. Received uncleaned as if from recent find.
	Pertinax Junior and Titiana, AR Tetradrachm, January 1, 193-March 30, 193, Year 1, Egypt-Alexandria PERTINAX-KAICAR Bare-head, draped, cuirassed bust right TITIANH-CEBACTH Draped bust right, hair weaved in rows and tied in knot at back of head 27mm, 8.20g Emmett 2654 - Imitates unique example in the British Museum Unknown origin. Pressed? Sold on eBay as authentic, October 2007. Photo courtesy of the eBay buyer.
Non-Roman
	Arabian Himyarites, AR Half Denar, Scyphate-Style, c.50-150 AD Male head right within linear torc Sabaean legend Small male head right, flanked by monogram 14mm x 15mm, 1.25g Ex Bassem Daou, sold as authentic - returned October 2005 Note: Cast fake intended to defraud, but obvious pitted cast in hand.
Medieval and Later
	Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), AR/AV Ducat ANTO . VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI . Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field . SIT . T . XPE . DAT : O : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction Plain Edge 21mm, 2.55g, Silver with Gold overlay Type of Paolucci 37.1 Ex Bassem Daou, eBay, August 2009 - Returned for refund November 2009. Note: Appear to be pressed, not cast. Identical striations in fields and match known gold fakes as well. Click here to read the discussion on these fakes.
	Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), AR/AV Ducat ANTO : VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI . Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field . SIT . T . XPE . DAT ' : O ' : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT ' Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction Plain Edge 21mm, 2.55g, Silver with Gold overlay Type of Paolucci 37.1 Ex Bassem Daou, eBay, August 2009 - Returned for refund November 2009. Note: Appear to be pressed, not cast. Identical striations in fields and match known gold fakes as well. Click here to read the discussion on these fakes.
	Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), AR/AV Ducat ANTO : VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI . Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field . SIT . T . XPE . DAT ' : O ' : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT ' . Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction Plain Edge 21mm, 2.52g, Silver with Gold overlay Type of Paolucci 37.1 Ex Bassem Daou, eBay, August 2009 - Returned for refund November 2009. Note: Appear to be pressed, not cast. Identical striations in fields and match known gold fakes as well. Click here to read the discussion on these fakes.
	Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), AR/AV Ducat ANTO : VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI . Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field . SIT . T . XPE . DAT ' : O ' : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT ' . Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction Plain Edge 21mm, 2.54g, Silver with Gold overlay Type of Paolucci 37.1 Ex Bassem Daou, eBay, August 2009 - Returned for refund November 2009. Note: Appear to be pressed, not cast. Identical striations in fields and match known gold fakes as well. Click here to read the discussion on these fakes.
	Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), AR/AV Ducat ANTO : VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI . Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field . SIT . T . XPE . DAT ' : O ' : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT ' . Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction Plain Edge 21mm, 2.56g, Silver with Gold overlay Type of Paolucci 37.1 Ex Bassem Daou, eBay, August 2009 - Returned for refund November 2009. Note: Appear to be pressed, not cast. Identical striations in fields and match known gold fakes as well. Click here to read the discussion on these fakes.
	Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), AR/AV Ducat ANTO : VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI . Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field . SIT . T . XPE . DAT ' : O ' : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT ' . Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction Plain Edge 21mm, 2.57g, Silver with Gold overlay Type of Paolucci 37.1 Ex Bassem Daou, eBay, August 2009 - Returned for refund November 2009. Note: Appear to be pressed, not cast. Identical striations in fields and match known gold fakes as well. Click here to read the discussion on these fakes.
	Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), AV Ducat ANTO : VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI . Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field . SIT . T . XPE . DAT ' : O ' : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT ' . Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction Plain Edge 20mm, 3.16g Paolucci 37.1 Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 228, Lot 369, February 2010 - Lot withdrawn. Note: Surfaces appear to be sandblasted to disguise fakery. Image permission courtesy CNG.
	Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), AV Ducat ANTO : VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI . Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field . SIT . T . XPE . DAT ' : O ' : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT ' . Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction Plain Edge 19mm, 3.32g Paolucci 37.1 Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 228, Lot 368, February 2010 - Lot withdrawn. Note: Notice the dies have now been modified to finish the nimbate, which was one of the quick diagnostics for this fake when out in the wild. Image permission courtesy CNG.
	Albertine Line, AR Thaler, 1576, Germany-Saxony .AVGVSTVS.D:G.DVX.SAXO.SA.ROMA.-IMP. Armored bust right with two-handed sword .ARCHIMARS-CHAL.ET.ELEG Arms 38mm x 39mm, 20.60g (seriously underweight - should weigh 28.00-29.00g) Ex Ralph T Foster, eBay, May 2006, sold as authentic in 2x2 - returned May 2006 Note: Seems to be a lost wax method cast fake intended to defraud. The edges are hammered oddly and the piece sounds hollow. There is a small plug mark or sprue removal spot on the edge at 3 o'clock. Some small pits on obverse and reverse edges. Most likely, Mr. Foster did not remove this piece from the 2x2 when he bought it and would not have known this was a fake.