Is This Coin Fake? My Deep Dive into Authenticity Doubts

As a longtime coin collector, I recently found myself puzzling over the authenticity of an ancient Athenian tetradrachm, and it got me thinking. The coin in question, an Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm from 454-404 BC, shows the classic helmeted head of Athena right and an owl with AθE inscriptions. At 15.60 grams and 24 mm across with a large test cut, it had me reaching for my loupe. Here’s how I worked through my doubts.

The Red Flags I Spotted

When I examined this coin, a few things jumped out that collectors sometimes miss:

• Weight Discrepancy: 15.60 grams felt light compared to the typical 17.2 grams for this issue. Ancient coins weren’t precision-made, but that difference made me pause.
• Surface Questions: The flan cracks looked too soft-edged, with corners that weren’t as crisp as I’d expect. Some pits seemed unnatural, and there was something odd around Athena’s eye that bothered me.
• Cleaning Concerns: It showed signs of harsh cleaning, maybe even electrolysis. I’ve seen coins where cleaning left residues or caused discoloration from other metals.
• Test Cut Puzzle: Why add a test cut to a cast fake? That didn’t make sense – it suggested the coin might be genuine but altered later.

Why I Think It Might Be Real

Despite the worries, I kept coming back to these points:

• Weight Isn’t Everything: I’ve handled authentic underweight coins before – wear or burial effects can explain it.
• Buried History: Centuries underground can do strange things to surfaces. What looks suspicious might just be damage from the soil or cleaning.
• Dealer Confidence: I bought it from Ephesus Numismatics on VCoins, a dealer I’ve trusted for years. Everyone makes shipping errors, but they know their coins.
• Test Cut Tells a Story: Fakers rarely bother with test cuts. Finding one often means the coin passed inspection centuries ago.

What I Do When I’m Not Sure

When I’m on the fence about authenticity, here’s my approach:

• Check Weight and Size: Compare against standard references – my digital scale is always handy. For Athenian tetradrachms, I look for about 17.2g ± 0.5g.
• Look Closely at Surfaces: Get it under good light. Check for odd pits, seams, or cleaning marks. Photos can lie, so see it in hand or request multiple angles.
• Ask for Help: When in doubt, I reach out to specialists. Good dealers stand behind their coins, so don’t hesitate to ask questions.
• Trust Your Sources: I stick with trusted platforms like VCoins. In this case, I decided to keep the coin – sometimes you balance evidence with gut feeling.

This whole experience reminded me that authenticity comes down to the little things: weight, surface condition, and provenance. I think this one’s likely real but heavily cleaned. It’s a good lesson to keep our eyes open in this hobby. Happy collecting!