I have been busy buying, though not posting much. This is my latest, (excuse the photos please). It is Ostrogothic, Theoderic, Tremissis minted in the name of Justin. Yeah, I know, its in a slab. I am somewhat torn with this one. Its an imitative issue, so the attribution I believe is helpful. Only because of the attribution I am having a hard time deciding whether to crack this one. Its not the grade, I mean what the heck is ChAU* even mean for an ancient coin??
Btw, here is the other little pretty I bought from the same dealer. Mexico 50 pesos. I thought it looked pretty. Its better and more lustrous in hand.
Beautiful ancient gold. See something like that I "may" keep in a slab if it was bought that way. I would do it only for the fact if I had to sell it at a later time, it would yield a better pay off since there is so many non ancient collectors that are suckers. The mexico gold is just a beauty in general. Cant go wrong with gold of any sort.
What a beautiful coin and a great piece of history. Geez. Leave it in the slab. First, you know that at least Dave Vagi and company think it is legit, no small thing. (This becomes especially important if you spend more than a few bucks, which you obviously did.) Second, its being in a slab makes for a beautiful and secure presentation. Honestly, I have very few friends that I would trust handling this coin unslabbed. If it's slabbed, however, you could pass it around a classroom of mature students to be admired and studied. Heck, I'd even trust my less-than-mature, inebriated buddies passing the coin around during halftime of a game. Third, the coin just sells more easily in a NGC slab, especially over the internet. About the grade? I agree that grading ancients (and even grading more modern coins) is subjective. That said, it looks to be of exceptional quality. It's a beautiful, beautiful piece of history. guy
Huh? ... wow, I never thought I'd hear you dudes state that you'd ever keep a coin in a slab !! => man, I would definitely release that poor, suffering coin ... Ummm, but again, only because I wouldn't sell it (I'd touch it, I'd feel it => otherwise, "eeechhh" ... it's basically just like another minty, stale coin in a slab!!) Oh, but Oh MY GOD, medoraman!! => that is an absolutely gorgeous coin!! (wow, holy smokes!! => congratsx6)
I know Steve, I am torn. The main reason I am considering leaving it is because its an imitative issue. If it were a normal byzantine tremissis I would feel otherwise. Believe me, I would love to play with it.
I agree leave it in the slab. Its a small coin that could be easily damaged. It says definitively Ostrogoths so...
As a background to some who may not know, (and I am pretty sure VK can chime in more), the ostrogoths were originally from Sweden. They settled part of Russia, but most were pushed out by the black huns. The Ostrogoths, (or Austrogoths), settled in modern austria/hungary as a confederate tribe to the romans. Theoderic, (the great), was raised in Constantinople as a prisoner. However, he received many roman honors and was thought of as a very civilized "barbarian". Whe the germans deposed the last roman emperor, Theoderic, now leader of the ostrogoths, was asked to depose them. Maybe the romans thought he would give it back, or ask to be western emperor, either was Theoderic took Italy as his own. However, he respected the byzantine emperor, hence only struck gold in the sitting byzantine emperor's name. Only after a long successful reign, after Theoderic the Great passed away, did Justinian the Great consider attacking Italy and bringing it back into the empire.
Btw, I know I am dating myself, but was Steve Martin's character on the SNL medieval barber skits "Theoderic of York"? Every time I say this name, I am thinking of those skits. Also, you know why I love you guys? I posted a tiny old gold coin, and a massive gold coin. I am pretty sure 99.9 percent of my noncollector friends will only pay attention to the large coin, but everyone here is discussing the interesting little one.
Ostrogothic no doubt about it; has that bowl-haircut they frequently gave the Eastern emperors I definitely want one of these one day. Superb pickup!
Theodoric indeed deserves his title "the Great". He helped bring Italy back onto its feet after the misfortunes of the previous century and was a great patron of the old Roman culture. It is a common perception that the barbarians trashed Italy after the Western empire's fall but that isn't the case. During his rule he kept Romans running the government, with the Ostrogothic army providing defense. Theodoric also gave back the Roman Senate some of its power and influence that it had lost in the previous centuries (for the first time in 300 years bronze coins once again featured the letters SC for Senatus Consultum on the reverse). The Ostrogothic era of Italy was the most prosperous time for the land since the late 4th century AD, and it was the Eastern Roman reconquest that ironically put an end to that.
I just crapped in my pants.... ...but seriously...wow med....WOW. must mean CHOICE GOLD! that big peso is awesome also!
... and Justinian (or his troops) immediately removed the sarcophagus of Theoderic who was Arian and thus had the "wrong belief" from the Byzantine POV. The mausoleum in Ravenna is still impressive but basically empty. (Beautiful old churches in the city though. ) Christian
I agree in full, in fact if I ever bought a nice high grade slabbed tet I would absolutely leave it in. Mostly because I'd fear that I might damage it somehow.
This thread was an interesting read. I'm on the fence about the slab, but I will offer major kudos for your new gold, Chris. Bravo!
