David26

Unfortunately, sad to say this, but Tamara` s coin is fake. Without any doubts. And I hope YOu didnot payed a lot of money for this ugly forged piece. Forst of all, only one piece with 8 "roses" surrounded queens monogramm is known . Such pieces dont selling on the " Dry Bridge" and such places. There are a lot of local collectors who are ready to spent hundreds of dollars to obtain such ( but genuine) piece. Second, Tamar`s coin never have such " opened" roses. Sometimes, Giorgi IV Lasha , or Giorgi III + Tamar coinage probably have such roses, but Tamar` irregular copper - NEVER ! All such coins are fakes. You can make metall expertise, - YOu will never find 99% of copper there. Other coins look genuines. There are a lot of forged rare Georgian coins now at local ( Georgian) market, and also at world auctions and e-markets as well. Mostly these are: 1. Double AE Dirhams of Queen Tamar 2. Double AE Dirhams of Giorgi IV Lasha 3. Silver Dramas and half dramas of queen Rusudan 4. silver coins of " Georgian-Byzantinum" period 5. Gold imitations of staters of Al. the Great. 6. silver " Kolhidka" coins of big denominations 7. Too large and heavy Jalal-Ad-Din coins with very clear visible surrounded legends 8. Extra rare coins of " reduced coinage" period. 8a : So-called " eye"- coin of Giorgi VII 8b AR of Giorgi, king of Imereti ( coin with whole face of king" 9. Russo-Georgian half and quarter of Bisti, 1 and half abazi Hope it will help you . Anyway, remember, that Georgia is very very small country, and any ( ANY !) new coin first goes through hands of local numismatists. So, dont keep a hope that any very rare or unique medieval Georgian coin ( like this Tamar with 8 (!!!!!) roses ) is wait for You at Tbilisi open-air local flea markets . Only if you have some close relations with diggers or probably from Armenian sellers . yours, d