I. _Forgeries struck from false modern dies._ Such forgeries, when the
dies have been well executed by men familiar with the characteristic
peculiarities of ancient work, are often exceedingly difficult to
detect, especially when they are of gold. The true ancient patina and
oxide which time alone gives to bronze and silver, cannot be exactly
imitated.
A few hints may be of use in the detection of false struck coins.
The weight, owing to the ignorance of the forger, is generally
incorrect.
The style of the art is weak, and the forms of the letters especially
are timid and wanting in firmness.
II. _Modern casts made from ancient struck originals._ A cast coin,
when in gold or silver, may always be detected by its light weight,
unless this has been compensated for by making the cast thicker than
the original. The lettering and the types on cast coins are also less
sharply defined than on struck coins, and the surface has either a soft
and soapy appearance, or else it is covered with minute sand-holes, an
infallible indication of rough casting. The genuine patina of bronze
coins is imitated by paint, which can be removed by spirits of wine.
III. _Electrotypes._ These are of necessity of wrong weight. They may
also be known by the edges, where the mark of joining of the two sides
separately made and then stuck together, is never concealed, unless,
which is seldom the case, the electrotype is intended to deceive. Many
students who cannot afford to buy originals of rare coins, supply their
places by electrotypes, which, as they are exact facsimiles, do not
spoil the eye, as too much familiarity with false coins undoubtedly
does. Electrotypes may generally be split in two with a strong knife.
IV. Original coins which have been altered with a graving tool may be
classed as forgeries, and should be avoided, as there is no telling to
what extent they may have been “restored.”
§ THE COIN CABINET.
Coins should be kept under lock and key in a mahogany cabinet. Trays
made of cedar should never be used, as there is a deposit from this
wood which covers the surface of copper and lead coins with a kind of
varnish which is difficult to remove. In arranging coins in the trays,
begin at the left hand top corner, placing the coins in rows, one in
each hole. Under every coin there should be a descriptive card or a
number referring to a catalogue, in which the price paid for every
specimen should be carefully recorded, as well as the name of the
persons from whom it was acquired. A coin from a well-known cabinet
will always fetch more when sold than an equally fine specimen of which
the antecedents are unknown.