Is This Coin Fake? My Numismatic Journey with an Athenian Tetradrachm

Hey everyone, I’ve been puzzling over an Athenian tetradrachm lately, one that really made me question its authenticity. You know the type – classic Athens, Attica, circa 454-404 BC, with Athena’s helmeted head on the obverse and that iconic owl with inscriptions on the reverse. This one weighed 15.60 grams and had a big test cut, but something just didn’t feel right. Let me share my journey figuring it out.

The Things That Made Me Pause

Looking closely at this tetradrachm, a few things caught my eye based on years of handling coins:

• Weight Was Off: At 15.60 grams, it felt light compared to the usual 17.2 grams for these, which got me wondering.
• Surface Quirks: The flan cracks seemed oddly circular, edges weren’t as crisp as I’d expect, and there were pits that looked more like casting bubbles than natural wear or corrosion.
• Details Felt Soft: Athena’s eye seemed a bit wonky, and the surfaces had this strange, almost coppery tone that made me doubt the silver content.

Reasons I Leaned Towards Real

But here’s what I reminded myself: ancient coins like this weren’t weighed individually. They were struck from batches measured by the pound of metal, so weight can vary naturally. That hefty test cut? It’s actually a good sign – fakers rarely bother adding those details after casting. Those surface oddities? They could easily be the result of harsh cleaning centuries ago or damage from being buried. Maybe electrolysis cleaning transferred copper from other coins, explaining the color, or ground corrosion just took its toll. Crucially, this piece came from Ephesus Numismatics on VCoins – a dealer I’ve had good experiences with before. Mistakes can happen anywhere, sure, but their standing in our community matters.

What I Do When Doubts Creep In

Going through this made me think about my own process when I’m unsure about a coin. Here’s what I do:

• Source Matters: Stick with trusted dealers – VCoins members or reputable folks at major shows lower the risk a lot.
• Look Closely: Grab your loupe. Check the sharpness of details, how consistent the surfaces feel, and if the weight is in the ballpark. Compare it to solid reference examples.
• Remember It’s Ancient: These coins lived hard lives. Wear, cleaning marks, even crystallization are normal – don’t sweat every little flaw.
• Get Another Pair of Eyes: If it nags at you, ask! Show it to grading services or experienced collectors you respect. Photos can lie, so handle the coin yourself if you can.

In the end, I decided to hold onto this Athenian tetradrachm. I just love its history, and trusting my dealer felt right – it’s now a favorite in my collection, a constant reminder of how tricky authenticity can be in this hobby. Happy hunting, and trust that gut feeling!