Is This Coin Fake? My Journey with an Athenian Tetradrachm

Introduction

Lately I’ve been completely absorbed by ancient coins, and an Athenian tetradrachm I recently examined really made me question everything about authenticity. This silver stunner from 454-404 BC shows Athena on one face and her famous owl on the other, complete with an ancient test cut. But as I held it, little doubts started nagging at me—the weight felt off, the surface looked strange, and that persistent whisper: could this be fake? Join me as I share what I discovered through my hands-on experience with this coin.

When Doubts Creep In

Right off the bat, several things about this tetradrachm set off my collector’s alarm bells. Here’s what caught my eye:

• Weight worries: At 15.60 grams, it’s significantly lighter than the typical 17.2 grams for Athenian tetradrachms—either casting issues or poor metal quality could explain this.
• Surface quirks: The cracks looked unusually circular, Athena’s eye details seemed blurred, and some pits resembled casting bubbles more than natural corrosion.
• Cleaning clues: Odd yellowish discolorations made me wonder about electrolysis cleaning or copper transfer during restoration.
• Soft details: The overall impression lacked sharpness, like it came from worn dies or wasn’t properly struck.

Reasons for Hope

Before you write it off completely—and I nearly did—let’s consider why it might still be genuine:

• Weight isn’t everything: Ancient mints worked with rough standards. A 15.60g piece falls within known variations for authentic coins.
• That test cut matters: Faking a test cut on a cast forgery would be incredibly difficult and usually looks obviously wrong.
• Surface stories: Heavy cleaning or centuries underground could cause those pits and discolorations naturally.
• Dealer confidence: Ephesus Numismatics on VCoins has earned my trust over years—they’re not the type to risk their reputation.

What I’d Do If I Were You

When you’re sweating over a questionable coin, here’s my battle-tested approach:

• Weigh and measure: Grab your scale and calipers. For Athenian owls, expect about 17.2g ±1g as a baseline.
• Eye the surfaces: Get a loupe and hunt for casting seams or unnatural textures—real wear tells a story.
• Consider its past: Cleaning damage often mimics fakery. Copper transfer might just mean poor storage, not forgery.
• Buy smart: Stick with trusted dealers but always verify big purchases—a quick authentication is cheaper than regret.
• Market reality: Graded ancients hold value better. For pricey coins, that slab might pay for itself.

My Verdict

After wrestling with the evidence, I believe this tetradrachm is genuine—just a bit worse for wear after centuries and maybe some overzealous cleaning. What I’ve learned? When a reputable dealer stands behind a coin and it passes basic checks, trust your gut. After all, we collect because these pieces speak to us across millennia. Keep that loupe handy, question everything, but never lose the thrill of holding history!