I am considering this coin which was offered for 135. What do you think? The wear is nice but the huge chunk missing is not. Is it worth it? Is it authentic ?
Doesn't look right to me , but I'm far from an expert . Wait till someone who knows comes along . That looks more like a modern depiction of an elephant and the writing looks too perfect .
The elephant denarius is so common (litterally millions of them all around) that it would be a pity to buy one with such a chunk missing, whatever the price. I'm pretty sure you would find a decent and plain one around 200-250 at any coin show Just my two cents though Q PS : as for the authenticity of that one, it's kind of tricky to judge from small and somewhat blurry pics
I own one and the coin looks OK but mine is complete and cost me $50 more. I wouldnt waste any $ on this one posted with the chunk missing. As Cucumber said, there is tons of them and at all different price ranges. $200 would get you a decent one with patience.
I think it depends on what you believe "decent" is. These coins have moved up quite a bit in the last few years. A VF is now a $500 coin. I think that coin is authentic OP, but like others have said believe with a large chunk missing you may not be happy with it in a few years. Julius is tough. You may want to tackle him after you have picked off some easier rulers like Alexander II and others on your want list. The other "common" one you will run across is the coin with Venus on the obverse. Venus was considered Julius' patron god.
Well mine is off center a bit, which is common too but better then a chunk missing But I have seen grainy/off center ones go for $170 not too long ago.
I am just going off recent auction listings and coin show prices. I haven't seen a nicely centered VF go for $500 in a while, and even a nice VF slightly offcentered is $500. I should have bought a VF back when they were $200 5-7 years ago. They ARE a common coin, and at times a lot come on the market, but demand is also very high for them.
Btw, I know its sounding like I am a coin snob here, but if you know me you will know I am about the furthest from it. I believe every coin deserves a home. I simply don't know what kind of collecting you like OP, and I am not sure if you do yet or not. That is why I keep saying what I am saying. If you had been in ancients a few years, like RR but could not afford a $500 coin or this was a rare variant not normally found, then I have no problem whatsoever with you buying this coin. I own coins like it, (especially Sogdian), but I bought them because I already know their rarity and bought it because it was still one of the better examples i could find.
True words. When I started I of course looked at J. Caesar, Cleopatra and all the legends in history but their prices were eye openers. Then when I saw how many other emperors & empresses there was, I started to learn what the average cost was and most importantly, how historical some were and werent. I started with the "buy what I like" and the "1 emperor example" but that last about 18months. Now I focus on empresses but will still slip in a emperor I need, a roman republic or even a greek just as long at the coin speaks to me & the price is reasonable. It's good your asking us first though swervo.
When I happened to buy my elephant denarius in 1993, many people found the price I paid hilarious. Nobody's laughing anymore now... Julius Caesar, Denarius Denarius minted in Italy, c.49 BC CAESAR, elephant walking rigth, trampling on snake No legend, Simpulum, sprinkler, axe and apex 4.05 gr Ref : HCRI # 9, RCV #1399, Cohen #49 Always buy the best you can afford Q
Thanks for all the replies. I'm still on the fence. The prices I have seen are around 500 for a decent coin. That's why I considered this coin with its flaws. I have made an agreement with myself that I would collect all the Caesarian coins of the 9 Caesars that Suetonius writes about and maybe some coins from Brutus and Cassius. I just don't want to lose a leg doing so. I want good examples but can't afford high price tags (over 300). Does this coin seem authentic or no? I'm trying to see if he will do it for a better price.
Want one under $300? This one would do, it doesnt have to be the elephant... http://www.forumancientcoins.com/ca...&fld=http://www.forumancientcoins.com/Coins2/ Or if you can live with a hole and it being an ancient counterfeit, this one has his face and cheap. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/ca...&fld=http://www.forumancientcoins.com/Coins2/
Thanks for the suggestions. However I would like something with a better less worn legend. And that second one is pretty bad too. But if you see anymore please let me know.
