Introduction

This modern forgery of a Verica minim first appeared in an internet auction in May of 2022. The seller was one of several offering coins in the style of the Bulgarian replicas. This fake of V486-01 is likely to be from the same source. (Info)

With a diameter of 8mm and weight of 0.3526 gms, the module is roughly correct. However, the imagery, style and manufacture are completely wrong.

This coin is such a crude fake that I suspect it was intended to be a novelty item, not a coin to deceive researchers and collectors. That would not stop sellers on the Internet from offering it – but "forgetting" to mention it wasn't an ancient object.

Diagnostics

 

The imagey is nothing like that on a genuine Verica minim.

The original's "cross and floral pattern" on the obverse just becomes a crude cross with dots. Admittedly, the tiny size of the coin doesn't provide much room for detail, but the die-cutter for the genuine coin attempted to use some artistry. The fake is much too crude.

On the reverse, the trident is bloated compared to the original.

The pellet border on the genuine coin is missing on the fake.

Athough there is no evidence of a sprue, the fake appears to be cast, not struck. The pebbly surfaces and weak images are consistent with a crude casting. It has a similar appearance to the fake Durotrigian Silver Starfish in a previous article. (See article) The two fakes may come from the same workshop.

 

Summary

This fake failed to gain much traction with the numismatic community. Only a very small number were offered on the Internet, and none commanded the price of a genuine coin. Indeed, as the Bulgarian replicas are becoming more widely known, they appear to be increasingly shunned. Fewer Celtic fakes are being offered and the sellers are slowly disappearing as dealers in Celtic coins.

Hopefully, dissemination of knowledge and vigilance will supress these fakes.

End