Valentinian III KA TRA campgate

[Victor]

here's a campgate which is probably unofficial; though this period had some pretty sloppy coins. It is a Valentinian III CASTRA (cf RIC X 2160) except the reverse legend is KA TRA       13mm   1.25gm

[Factor]

Seems suspicious to me, more resembling in style Serbian counterfeits. In any case definitely not official.

[tjaart]

Hi Factor, the style does seems suspicious. Do you have a link to the Serbian fakes you mentioned?

[Victor]

I was at first not sure about this coin and could still be wrong, but the obverse looks fine. The reverse looks a bit strange but it closely resembles an example that sold in 2008-- note the same speling of the reverse legend and the distinctive style of the star. However, to play devil's advocate, a modern die maker could have easily copied the style of the coin below.

[tjaart]

Interesting example, Victor. Makes me wonder as well. Is the first coin for sale somewhere?

[Victor]

I bought the first one. I am hoping that it looks okay in hand. I am on the lookout for more examples- if they start showing up, then it is easy enough to figure it is modern.

[Factor]

Hi Factor, the style does seems suspicious. Do you have a link to the Serbian fakes you mentioned?

See what this guy is offering, and his sold items. Many V century fakes, typical.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/historiamagistravitaeest/m.html?item=183166037623&ul_noapp=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[Victor]

I am inclined to believe that the campgate is fake. I have been watching the seller for a while and he has been mainly selling LRB's but this week listed several obviously fake coins. I added him to the fake sellers list.

Below are two, though he does say the Galba is not original.


https://www.ebay.com/usr/constantinus026