A Coin Mold from the Israel Museum Collection: Ancient Original for Casting Fakes or a Modern Fake for ‘Ancient’ Casts?

Abstract

A casting mold in the collection of the Israel Museum (IM 2017.46.37389), preserved in
two parts was one of the items displayed to the public during the first temporary numismatic
exhibition named The Production of Coins in Antiquity. The provenance of the mold remains
unknown. Imprints of Alexandrian coin types issued under Nero and Hadrian suggest an
Egyptian origin. However, certain features of the object raise doubts about its age, and whether
it had ever been used.