That was my feeling as well. The personal connection with a recently dug UK find adds a lot of "cool" factor in my eyes. I definitely agree with IdesOfMarch01 that perhaps there were more issues than apparent in the images when inspected in-hand.
Then thats where were different, how can you enjoy a piece of something like that when its so junky? I would take an Domna Aureus over that junk eid mar anyday. I at least know I would get enjoyment out of owning it. I can take a cue from Doug, enjoy a nice looking Eid Mar with a photograph like he does his collection.
Good point. After the large Athenian coin HJB had to pull, you can see the skill level that can craft such a coin. If its in junky condition, its very uch harder to prove its false. That could have been a concern to some. If David Sear said it was authentic though, or if purchased from a major firm with lifetime return privileges, I think the price is a touch low.
I said it would sell for more than $8k. I was wrong, but, like the other posts have suggested, there may be some extenuating circumstances with this particular coin. Mat: I disagree. To own a coin with so much historical significance would go along way to bring joy to me and my collection.
I agree with Bing on this coin, (and really only this coin). Such a singularly important coin, representing vividly such a singularly important event is important no matter its condition. I have a coin on my "dream list" minted not long after, the Antony and Cleo tet. While I would dearly love to own this coin, it is important historically but not to the level of an eid mar. Therefor, I am with you Mat that I do not wish to own that coin in junkky g or vg, a nice F+ would be my minimum I would wish to own. So, for this coin only I would say its worth it. Everything else, I agree with you Mat to a point. A VG with honest wear is not a horrible coin to own.
The question is: where does visual interest end and numismatic interest begin? I don't mean to imply they're mutually exclusive of course, but everyone draws their line in a different place, depending on the coin and the culture. Ideally a coin has both in equal measure, but speaking for myself and the rest of the sometime junk bin collectors, sometimes the numismatic interest of a piece far outweighs the visual appeal. Each to his own.
Excellent point. I bet most here would hate my Sogdian coin collection. Most simply do not exist in high grades, so if you wish to collect them at all, you have to acquire a lot of "dogs". Same could be said of most byzantines as well.
I dont mind being the minority on this coin, we all have our own tastes. Historical or not...for me I wouldnt spend that kind of money on that type of looking coin because I know I wouldnt enjoy looking at it.
I agree, and I see this a lot in US colonials as well. Take this coin: That just sold for $47K and this: sold for $23,500. Historic appeal outweighs visual appeal in many cases from what I've seen.
imo in this case (the EID MAR) rarity is more important then quality... remember folks, only 30 or so exist... get one or get none... i had a Tirus with colloseum (i posted the coin here on the forum some time ago). quality : poor. but i had one ! i agree, an ordinary Hadrian denarius in poor condition wll not find a new home in my collection, but rarities are always welcome here, no matter what grade they have...
Rather than having this Eid Mar, I would more interested in Bing's JC Carthage Mint. For those who may not know, the coin is off the hizzy, hes got pictures in his gallery. I have one in poor condition, so I routinely look at his with envy.