Romismatist

Hello Everyone, I recently acquired a clutch of rather worn Athenian tetradrachms and two have countermarks on them. One is very distinctive and reminded me of a recent past thread talking about specific countermarks that identify where the coin would have circulated. I am not up to date with my Phonecian or other letters but thought that perhaps some of the folks within this forum would be able to help on these two (here's lookin' at you, @robinjojo)... Any help or guidance on understanding the significance of these countermarks and where these coins would have circulated would be appreciated.

Here's a current example of Greek forgeries for sale on EBay (noted as such in the listing) which might fool an undiscerning collector if sold more unscrupulously... note the identical wear on identical coins despite the different flans...

The reverse of this piece reminds me of a cruder version of a nomos from Bruttium Kaulonia (although the ethnic is different) While the obverse is a crude representation of Athena from an Athens tetradrachm. Makes me think that it is a mule fantasy piece.

A couple more thoughts to add. In terms of the metallurgical analysis, some forgers have been known to strike modern forgeries on genuine ancient coins, most likely "slugs" that are of such poor quality as to not have much worth above melt value. In addition, the technology is such that more sophisticated forgers will strike fakes with the correct weight as well. These fakes are typically harder to nail down as forgeries. That's why things such as style are important to take into consideration as well. Collecting ancients is definitely a minefield for the beginner, and there is a lot to learn about genuine and fake coins. At some point, all of us have been taken in by forgeries - I myself have a "black cabinet" with several fakes that I've inadvertently purchased over the years. However, over time, you learn to spot most fakes. I'm sure that there are still several undiscovered ones within the collections of many of us in this forum. That's why purchasing from respected dealers or auction houses is a recommended avenue to those starting out in the hobby.

Not crazy about the style, which seems way off to me. The artistry is cruder than other types of the intended period, in particular the treatment of the hair and the crest of the helmet. I'd say it's a modern fantasy piece.

I've seen a number of different date ranges proposed for my hemidrachm, so am not sure of an exact mint date. However, the coins of this design all appear to be exact obverse / reverse die matches, indicating a single emission with the same dies. The fact that there are no variants indicating that more than one obverse and reverse set of dies was used also suggests that these coins weren't minted over an extended period of time, but at one specific point in time for a specific purpose (the actual Olympiad festival itself).

Cool coin and writeup, @kirispupis! This isn't my core collecting area, but like you, I am fascinated by these coins and their history. I also recently acquired a coin from the Hera mint, a hemidrachm that's also relatively well worn, but still in decent enough condition so that both reverse and obverse are recognizable (seller's pics - because I suck at photography). I had a chance much earlier to acquire another one, but missed out, so I was determined to get this one. Elis, Olympia 336-324 BC, Hemidrachm (111-114th Olympiad) Obv: Head of nymph Olympia left.Rev: Eagle standing left, "FA" above (not visible on my coin) and grape bunch on a vine to right.BCD Olympia 195 (same dies)

The Rosemary Rowe series is excellent in my opinion. I'd rate that series right up there with Steven Saylor and Lindsay Davis.

Quite a few years ago I acquired a Metapontum AE coin c. 250-200 BC (obverse owl, reverse Athena Promachos, like the one below) which was found in Israel. That coin would have a pretty cool story to tell...

Interesting. I had no idea that this happened, but I guess it makes sense given that Tarentine staters & nomoi were issued to pay the different mercenaries brought in to protect the city from the neighbouring Iapygian and Messapian tribes, so other regions would no doubt be exposed to the type. After all, the Tarentine coinage with Phalanthos the dolphin rider and the horsemen is one of the most extensive in Magna Grecia.

The odd flan shape and uncentred strike are what makes every ancient hammered coin unique and unlike modern coins, it often detracts from the value (although I think you're safe with this one). Not every coin you find will be fully centred and on an even, round flan. I'm not sure how they prepared the metal for the early denarii, but some of the later 2d and 3d century AD sestertii are noticeably rectangular in their flans, and I read somewhere that the coin blanks were cut from a bronze (orichalum?) bar, giving them this consistent shape. I'd actually be more suspicious of a coin with too round a flan and too even a strike - those are hallmarks of modern coins, not ancient ones...

Yes, totally looks genuine to me as well.