Is the Ateas Cоin the Hermitage Collection Authentic? (V. Brabich)

A few coins bearing the name of the Scythian king Ateas have attracted the attention of both Soviet and foreign numismatists. Certain scholars suggest that these coins are modern forgeries.

The silver coin in the Hermitage collection seems to be just such a forgery. In the author's opinion it is not identical to the coin in the History Museum collection in Moscow; it was cast, not hammered, and the devices on it were finished with a chisel.