Welcome to Steal This Copy. Here is your riddle:

The year is 1957. 

Summer. Dry. Hot.

An archeologist — working a new patch of windy, blustery desert — catches a glint of metal at  the far end of his surveying field.

Intrigued (as most archeologists would be, duh) he rushes over to inspect. 

With a tiny little brush and a dusty little magnifying glass, he uncovers a coin from the sand.

The archeologist holds the coin in the sun for a closer look.

It has a date: 

::>|> 54 BC <|<::

"AHHH!" the archeologist proclaims.

But this utterance was not one of happiness.

It was one of despair ...

For with just one glance, the archeologist knew — beyond a shadow of a doubt — that this coin was a FORGERY.

🔎 The riddle then, is this:

How did the archeologist know (so quickly, for that matter) that the coin was a fake? 

If you think you know the answer, reply to the welcome email I just sent you and let me know.

No cheating.

Whether your answer is right or wrong, as a reward for your service, I'll respond with not only the correct answer ... but I'll also tell you the name of the  copywriting book that has had the biggest impact on my career this year.

Happy thinking!

— David Patrick