Sponsianus did exist/ coin real deal!

[panzerman]

https://bbc.com/news/science-environment-63636641

Above article is interesting read!

[Hrefn]

If I saw that coin at a show, I would not buy it because it looks like it was cast.  Those little bubble-like defects are rather troubling.  I have seen bronze coins with corrosion patterns like that, but I do not think it is possible in a gold coin.  At least, I have never seen it, even in electrum.  

The scratches and wear pattern can hardly be definitive.  I have read that Becker, the great forger, would place his creations in a box slung beneath his horse-drawn carriage to jostle about, simulating a natural wear pattern.  

Here is a large follis of Maximianus with a similar corrosion pattern, which I do not suspect of being cast.  

[Heliodromus]

3 hours ago, Hrefn said:

I have read that Becker, the great forger, would place his creations in a box slung beneath his horse-drawn carriage to jostle about, simulating a natural wear pattern.  

Apparently he referred to this at least once as "“taking his old gentlemen for a drive” 😀

https://www.tesorillo.com/otras/becker.pdf

[akeady]

The story is from 2022 and the ANS has an article fro Dec. 2022 on the coins.

https://numismatics.org/pocketchange/sponsian/

Indeed, the first point against them is that they are cast, which is not in dispute.

ATB,

Aidan.