Ancient coins were counterfeited almost as soon as they were
invented. I have seen an excellent fourrée of the early silver
half-stater
of the Kroisos "bull and lion" type (Sear Greek 3420) from c.560-540
BC.
Here are striking examples of well-known Greek types.
For a larger selection, see the off-site page on
Greek fourrees by Aaron
Emigh.
Links from images are to
larger
versions of the same image, but not to further discussion.
Persian Kings
(Xerxes-Darius III, in Lydia, c. 486-330 BC)
Imitation, with edge 7:00-9:00, obverse to
right.
Its prototype.
Imitation siglos. 15-14 mm. (4 mm thick) 4.50 grams.
(Originals weigh c. 5.35 grams) This original: 16-14 mm. 5.40
grams.
Great king kneeling (running?) right, holding spear
diagonally downwards in right and bow in left. No legend
/oblong punch
Breaks in the plating are clearly visible at 3:00 and around the edge
7:00-9:00.
Prototype: Sear Greek 4678. This basic type was issued over
a long period of time so it is not possible to date the prototype
closely, much less the imitation. However, the issue ended with
Alexander the Great, so it must be prior to about 330 BC.


Alexander the Great
(336-323 BC, posthumous prototype type c. 320-290 BC)
Tetradrachm. 28 mm. 3:00. 14.05 grams. (Originals weigh c. 17 grams.)
Deeply pierced into the earhole.
Head of young Heracles right, in lion-skin headdress
/Zeus seated left, holding eagle and sceptre. The
legend "of Alexander" in Greek "ALEXANDROU"
is crudely attempted.
16 mm. 12:00. 3.53 grams.
Drachm. Copper breaks through the high spots, including the eagle on
the reverse.
Prototype: Sear Greek 6730 variety.
Antiochus III, Seleucid
King
223-187 BC
Tetradrachm. 30 mm. 10:00.
An amazing broken coin. Looking at the reverse, you can see the silver
foil of the obverse behind the left hand of Apollo, which corresponds
to the hair over the ear on the obverse. I am amazed that the foil
there has not bent and broken off. The copper core has corroded away to
make a cave well inside the silver foil.
Diademed head of Antoichus I right (no legend)
/ Apollo seated left on omphalos and holding a bow,
monograms in outer field left and right.
BASILEOS ANTIOXOU
downwards
Shekel of Tyre,
prototype 60/59 BC
29-28 mm (full-size). 11:30. 12.50 grams (originals weigh about
14-14.5 grams).
A coin of wonderful style. Look at that laurel wreath!
The copper core is visible on the obverse at the edge from 9:00-11:30
and at 3:00. It is visible on the reverse at 3:00-4:00.
Laureate head of Melqarth right
/eagle standing left on beak of a ship, cornucopiae
under right wing, in field left, a club and symbols, in right field a
monogram.
The prototype legend begins at 1:00 and says:
TYPOY IERAS KAI ASULOU
This attempt at reproducing the legend is crude.
Cherronesos, Thrace.
Hemidrachm, c.400-350 BC.
Plated, holed,
imitation.
enlargment
Its prototype.
Superb style, but an obvious fourree, with copper showing all the way
through the hole, around it, and elsewhere.
I wonder if the piercing was to mark it as a counterfeit?
Obverse: Forepart of lion right, looking back, paws raised.
Imitation reverse: /reverse in four quadrants, one with
grape cluster, opposite one with pellet (It could be rotated 90 degrees
counterclockwise)
Prototype reverse: The reverse comes in many varieties. This one
has E and a pellet in the lower right. Wheat ear in opposite quadrant.
Reference; Sear Greek I, 1602-1606 var. SAN XVII#1, cover coin
type. SNG Copenhagen 824-843 var. Says "480-350 BC." Prototype,
AR14, 9:00. 2.51 grams. Imitation: 13mm, 1.71 grams.
Dyrrhachii, Illyricum,
c.200-30 BC.
17mm. 7:00. 2.38 grams.
Excellent fourree, with only a few breaks in the silver.
Cow right, suckling calf, above MENISKOS
/double stellate pattern within double linear
square,
DOP above, KOY
on
left. Off center.
Prototype: Sear Greek 1900 var (different magistrate). SNG
Copenhagen III 459/485ff.
This is a very common type and it is not surprising
to find a counterfeit of it.
Parion, Mysia, 350-300
BC.
Fourrée hemidrachm with much silver, but much copper showing,
and its prototype.
13 mm. 12:00. 1.65 grams. A big
hole.
AR14. 6:00. 2.02 grams.
Gorgonion facing, tongue out
/bull standing left, looking back. Pi A above, P I
below.
Again we see piercing, which may indicate that this was discovered to
be false in ancient times and purposely defaced.
Prototype: Sear Greek 3919-3922. SNG Copenhagen 257-266. Dated to
about 350-300 BC.
Parion is on the southern shores of the Propontis.
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