I for some reason got into my head to buy ancient coins so I bought the two below. Not very easy as I hate circulated coins and just won't collect them. So my question is have you gone outside your comfort zone and let me see your coin pics please (yes I know 500 ad is not really that ancient)
What's the reverse on the S. Alexander? The two basic varieties are standing and advancing versions of Mars. I'm just curious because the depiction of Mars advancing left seems to be much less common than the others. I'm wondering if you have that variety.
Also, if you take circulation to mean the passing of a coin between hands in commerce, I have no problem calling your coins uncirculated. I don't see any wear on them at all - they may have been hoarded soon after being struck. Collectors of ancients, however, often object to the transposition of grading standards intended for modern coins onto ancients. Gold is very non-reactive, so I don't really have a problem calling the solidus MS - it probably does look exactly as it did when it came off the dies. I'm going to guess that the grade on the denarius is AU, not because the coin may have circulated in commerce, but because when it comes to ancient silver, it's mostly impossible to talk about mint states. As well-preserved as that coin is, it's still 1800-years-old, and doubtlessly had to be cleaned after its excavation.
Huh. Interesting. Well, it's definitely a beautiful coin. I guess according to NGC, once you wash off the centuries of dirt and grime, you've restored it to mint state.
I paid $950. There was one for $875 but I just liked the appearance of this one more. If I had to guess it is probably valued in the 7's but I didn't mind paying a little more for the one I liked.