Authenticity Anxiety: My Take on Questioning an Ancient Coin

There I was, staring at an Athenian tetradrachm in my hand, wondering, “Is this real?” That nagging doubt is something every coin collector faces, especially with ancient pieces. Centuries of wear, questionable cleanings, and mysterious histories can really mess with your head. Let me tell you about my experience and what it taught me.

The Coin That Made Me Question Everything

In my collection sits an Attica, Athens AR tetradrachm from 454-404 BC. Classic design: helmeted Athena on the front, owl with “AθE” inscription plus olive sprig and crescent on the back. This particular coin caught my eye because of its large test cut – weighing 15.60g and measuring 24mm across. At first glance, I thought it was just another fascinating artifact. Little did I know it would become my personal authenticity detective story.

What Set Off My Alarm Bells

When I really examined it under the loupe, several things made me nervous – the same concerns I’ve heard from collecting buddies over coffee at coin shows:

• Weight felt wrong: At 15.60g, it’s noticeably lighter than the typical 17.2g Athenian tetradrachms. My first thought: could this be a cast fake?
• Surfaces looked off: The flan cracks seemed too soft and rounded, not crisp like genuine strikes. Strange pitting, plus Athena’s eye was slightly misaligned – a classic red flag.
• Just didn’t look right: The surfaces appeared overcleaned with a weird coppery tint, maybe from electrolysis or burial effects. The whole vibe screamed “suspicious” to me.

Why I Stopped Panicking

After some deep breaths and digging through reference books, I found reasons to relax. Here’s why this owl might still be the real deal:

• Ancient weights vary: These coins weren’t individually weighed – they were struck in batches per pound of silver. Finding one a bit underweight isn’t unusual, even in good periods.
• Test cuts don’t lie: Counterfeiters rarely add test cuts. That chop mark? Probably ancient verification of silver content – a strong point for authenticity.
• Dealer reputation matters: I bought this from Ephesus Numismatics on VCoins. They’ve always done right by me, and their expertise beats anonymous online opinions.
• Time changes surfaces: Two millennia underground can cause odd crystallization or corrosion. That coppery tint? Could be residue from neighboring coins in the hoard.

What I Learned for Next Time

This whole experience taught me some practical lessons I’ll carry to future purchases:

• Stick with trusted dealers: Buying from VCoins specialists like Ephesus gives you peace of mind – their reputation is on the line.
• Scale and calipers are your friends: Always check weight and size against references. For Athenian tets, more than 1g under warrants caution, but don’t panic over small differences.
• Lighting reveals truth: Study surfaces under bright light. Look for casting bubbles versus strike flow lines. When really unsure? Get a second opinion from NGC or ANS.
• Price tells a story: If that “rare” coin seems too cheap, there’s probably a reason. Trust that instinct.
• Balance doubt and joy: I kept my coin because I love it, and the dealer’s track record reassured me. But if something feels wrong, professional authentication is worth every penny.

In the end, I kept my slightly questionable owl. It reminds me that coin collecting isn’t about finding perfect specimens – it’s about connecting with history. So whether you collect ancients, silver dollars, or modern issues, stay curious but critical. Just don’t let the doubts rob you of the thrill when you hold a piece of history in your palm.