Ancient - Terrible Wagon Fall - PAN Macedonian Tetradrachm

I had some store credit with a dealer of mine that I felt was time to use, I combed through many a' boxes and again as always nearly leaving empty handed...this was offered to me. I was able to procure this piece for *super* good price. Having been on the wagon for sometime, I still probably should not have bought this but what the hey, it called to me, right?

http://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/i...=4171392-001


NGC grades this VG when IMHO it is F. 5/5 Strike and 3/5 surface with honest wear and an old cleaning. The photo that NGC took gives the impression that the coin is porous but in hand it does not appear that way. NGC did not remark on any particular surface issue.

I am also considering breaking it out of the slab. I suppose it would be worth more if I left it in the slab, but it might be worth more to me out... you know what I mean? I really want to handle the coin.

These are not exceptionally rare coins. They seem fairly common in the $500 dollar range, but rarely less than that. I don't plan on selling the coin as it is a type I need to scratch off my list. I really didn't plan on buying the coin but rather taking the credit as cash which was an option open to me. So I took the coin and $87. I then proceeded to skip to my vehicle and drive home.

 

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See I can't exactly say you 'fell off the wagon' because when all was said and done you were up $87. I would use that as justification for myself.

It is a beauty of a coin as well!

 

I find it entirely too easy to justify buying things...but thanks bro.

 

Everybody should own a PAN Tet!! (good score, Noober!!)

Oh, and it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway ...

=> you must crack-open that slab and let PAN & Athena run free!!!

 

...or he could save himself some trouble and ship it to me.

You know, 'cause it was free, right?

 

Very nice coin, congrats. Nice one to have a big tumble on.

 

Do you think NGC has ever graded a strike on a Gonatas Tet that wasn't 5/5?

 

Awesome score Masternoob, i was looking at one of these yesterday, i would love to get one at that price. It's good to hear from you, i know you been busy...well done...

 

I really dont think so. The coin itself would probably be more interesting if the strike were 2/5, right.

What I am interested in knowing is if you think the coin is under graded. I would expect the coin to be a solid Fine. Even a better Fine. What do you guys think about a VG grade that they gave?

 

I wish it were free...I guess in sense it was but I had some funds coming my way from a previous transaction...sooo...eh, kinda free would work.

 

Quite possibly not. The cupped flans made them easy to strike well and most you see are nice. I agree that this one was a worn but nicely struck. I rarely think a TPG undergrades an ancient but, I would have called this one Fine.

 

Nice score, Noob. Congratulations!

Full support for your rationalization too. Cleverly played

 

I don't know if I agree with NGC's use of grading for Ancients, anyways. There are so many variables w/ coins that weren't machined. I'm sure you guys have probably talked about this before; I don't really want to beat the dead hippocamp. With that being said, If AU-U is a 5/5 by their standards and a G is 1/5, you would think in contrast a 3/5 would be a F. I'm not quite sure what type of protocol or standard they use, though.

 

BTW- they were freed of their coffin. (I am keeping the coffin though.)

I also need to take some proper pictures, and see if I can afford to hold on this bad boy. Man I really like it. Although I must admit the First Meris has a leg up on this piece IMHO. Although as we all know everyone needs a PAN.

 

If anything it's peace of mind. "NGC thinks my coin is authentic." It's also nice that it will sell for more down the road when you supply the slab. I don't own any slabbed coins because I can't afford them. They always go for at least %15 more than they would without it.

 

Nice grab!

 

Their grading for ancients just gives a letter grade, no numbers. The numbers are only for strike and surfaces separately. I would not mind the system if it truly was ancient coin grades, but they also use AU and Unc, which I have never in my life used to grade an ancient coin.

 

Very nice pick up Anoob, and not a cheap acquisition. I'll bet that fall off the wagon hurt a bunch. Congrats.

 

It's always fun to fall off the wagon. Just did it myself recently. And that is a gorgeous coin to fall off the wagon with!

Nice pickup Anoob.

 

Good job, Noob => I'm so glad that you sprang them from their plastic prison!!

=> I'm sure that all of your other coins are cheering and calling you a fricken God!!