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Rant: Paid $60 for a fake Roman coin at a market stall in Athens
Was in Athens last month for a family trip and saw this little stall near the flea market selling old coins. Guy had a story about how it came from a dig site in Thessaly, all crusted with green stuff. I handed over 60 euros without doing any homework. Got it home, cleaned a corner with a toothbrush, and the patina flaked off like paint. Turns out the 'ancient' bronze was stamped with a modern mint mark I'd never spotted. My buddy who collects said the green was just copper sulfate from sitting in a damp drawer. Felt like an idiot, honestly. Anyone else get burned by marketplace relics, or have a trick for spotting fakes before you hand over cash? I'd love a checklist for next time.
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the_max2mo ago
Funny how we trust a good story more than we trust the actual thing, happens with everything from coins to used cars. Next time, just assume the shine is a lie and you'll save yourself a lot of grief.
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