Advice wanted for 2nd individual ancient purchase

All right I am having trouble uploading files so I am just going to upload links. If someone else wants to copy over the picture files that would be fine.

Coin#1 - which I feel safe is at least a fair deal if not a good one.

http://bargainbinancients.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=1701

Faustina Jr. Sestertius : Nice dark patina : 32mm
$57.00
Not sure of the reverse identification but it is certainly a large sestertius of Faustina Jr. Tough to take a pic of as it is a very dark green/black patina, but the portrait is nice with no problems except for some overall wear. This one is DEFINITELY better than the pic. 32mm, 24.1gms

 

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Coin #2 - I bought this as I found VERY few examples of single busts of her that weren't either completely corroded and like $80 or were like $400-500 for a coin of around this quality. Also I got a discount. Also I like the toning (I think) and that goddess on the back looks like she is about to bring it.

http://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/pra...41__244_ad__ae_28_mm_rare/487664/Default.aspx

Bithynia, Prusa ad Olympum: Tranquillina, Augusta, 241 - 244 AD. AE 28 mm, Rare
Bithynia, Prusa ad Olympum: Tranquillina, Augusta, 241 - 244 AD. AE 28 mm, 9.4 gm. Obv: CABEINIA TΡANKΥΛΛEINA, diademed and draped bust right. Rev: ΠΡOΥCAEΩN, Demeter advancing left, holding torch in each hand. BMC Bithynia p. 199, 33; Lindgren -. Rare.

 

Great choice on the Faustina II! BBA's pics are all very dark. You'll find the coin is much brighter in hand.

 

The Tranquillina is also a great coin - good eye. It's definitely a dupondius or sestertius-sized coin, but those denomination names are generally only used for imperial coinage. We don't know what the various denominations were called in the provinces, so they just get described by diameter, in this case: AE28.

Both are nice, big coins that will feel great in your hand. Well-done.

 

Nice coins, ive eyed that Tranquillina just to have but other bargains fell into my lap so I didnt bother. I think the color of it may be because of how it was cleaned when found.

 

It's a bit over-cleaned to be sure, but nothing serious in my estimation. It'll darken up naturally over time.

 

Thanks! I was a little worried it wouldn't go over well or had some problems, but from what I saw it was very difficult to get a single bust of her that didn't look like an indistinguishable cull.

That way I'm not facing down a major expensive hole later on.

Looking forward to receiving them

 

You'll find that many of the emperors and empresses that are scarce and expensive in the imperial coinage, are much easier to acquire in the provincial issues.

 

Ah that is good to know. A few of them (Titi, Orbiana, I think Domitia) are absurdly expensive. I mean I could save a couple months to purchase one, but I'm not sure if I'm going to feel right about spending $100+ on a largely unrecognizable coin, just to fill a hole or complete the collection.

 

Well, not all of them though. Those three are always going to be pricey.

 

Well I don't have to get them ALL. Paying $200 for an unattractive coin just to have it seems a bit inane, especially considering you can get like 6 awesome coins for that amount of money.

 

Thats my logic, thats why Otho hasnt been added to my collection *still awaiting under $400 bargain.*

 

I agree as well. No sense buying a coin you will never enjoy. Nice pickups man, especially the sestertius.

 

Both are very nice. Congrats.

 

This is something we have discussed before. I disagree with JA. I prefer not to post information about coming attractions because I don't want to jinx the completion of the acquisition. The last thing I want to do is to suggest to a seller that I am getting the coin to end all coin purchases worth ten times the price before he actually mails it too me. I prefer to wait, handle the coin, decide if I believe it is genuine and correctly identified and then, only then, post it for all to see (and say, "Why did he buy that thing?").

A week from tomorrow, snow willing, I plan to attend the big coin show in Baltimore. I have no incoming coins from earlier purchases so I may be able to deal with the guilt of buying something too expensive for my blood if I happen to see the coin to end all coins. Wish me luck and tell me what I need to buy to round out my collection. When I go to a show some dealer who does not know me always asks what I'm looking for. The current honest answer that I will never say is, "Coins I can show and not be laughed off Coin Talk!"

 

The reverse legend is CONCORDIA SC. The coin is from the period of Faustina as 1st daughter while Antoninus Pius was still alive. I consider this a good buy. It is not the most common coin but the seller should have been able to ID it.

 

Theodora? I mention her, because I have just finished cleaning two small AE4 coins depicting her and baby.

 

Some of us may scratch our heads, but I'm quite sure we never laugh.
Good luck! Looking forward to seeing whatever you bring back.

 

Best of luck and I hope you find what you want!

 

Crap now I have to update my spreadsheet