http://www.apmex.com/Product/36731/...or_Marcus_Aurelius_161_180_AD_NGC_ChFine.aspx Worth getting? Also I wanted to get it cause it seems like a really nice coin, but should I choose this, or some other certified morgans or key dates or ddos. Suggestions?
Well I will say its a nice coin and considering its in a slab, its priced better then most slabbed ancients, which are usually double. Are you planning on collecting ancients or just want 1 to have? If your looking at it for investment then look somewhere else. I can find better examples for less then $100 with searching or asking. He isnt a rare emperor. If this coin was offered to me I wouldnt pay no more then $80 for it. My example of this emperor is better then this and was only $60. No slab either. Mine: Marcus Aurelius (161 - 180 A.D.) AR Denarius O: M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM, Laureate head right. R: TR P XXX IMP VIII COS III, Roma standing left holding Victory and spear. 3.5g 19.38mm RIC 352; RSC 929a; BMC 669
okay then. Mabye I shoud look somewhere else, not APMEX. Guess I should go steal (not literally) some coins for super cheap at my local coin dealer.
If all you want is a decent Roman Denarius, there are "easier" emperors. This is my Denarius of Caracalla which is approximately in the same grade as the coin you posted, and cost me all of $24...
Just asking, how do you keep it from getting damaged without getting it certified? Ancient coins are hammered, and have really odd shapes, and definitly not even at times, In plastic cases it could move all over the place.
The coins aren't that fragile. My Denarius is about the size of a dime, struck on a fairly thick flan, and it is silver. I'd have hit it with a hammer to make a dent. You can store them in flips or 2x2s, same as any other coin. I bought mine at vcoins - did a search for "denarius", then filtered the search for lowest prices, and eventually came across this rather attractive example.
If you want a cheap ancient silver, search for Gordian III. They are about the size of a quarter and weight a little less then a nickel, some even more then a nickel. He's the cheapest to get cause he's so common.
It is worth getting some Ancient coins, but not the one from Apmex (overpriced and slabbed) Ancients aren't very fragile (except those with large cracks in the flan). Storing them in Flips is fine. You can get coins like that at V-Coins.
Keep in mind that Apmex may also charge you tax and tax the shipping cost as well. That will drive up the price a bit more. Overall though, the price is not bad and if you really wanted a slabbed example for protection its ok.
Plus one of the best things about collecting ancient coins is that you can actually hold them in your hands, something a slab doesn't let you do.
