Well, drat. I don't think this is the Caligula As for me.

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by lordmarcovan, Dec 13, 2023.

  1. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Just received this from Germany. The rim nick is accurately described in the auction, but I originally viewed it in the original German (which I don't speak), and overlooked it in the photos until too late. Too bad- the coin is otherwise decent, but the rim damage is pretty evident. I should have looked more carefully (and translated the description) before bidding. I have inquired about a return. If they don't accept returns, I suppose I will just have to sell it at a loss. Lesson learned.

    It's not a bad example, aside from the rim hit.

    https://auktion.rhenumis.de/en-us/auctions/lots/33459



    [​IMG]
     
    KSorbo, cmezner, philologus_1 and 6 others like this.
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  3. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    The coin has an excellent portrait (that's what drew me in), and a nicely detailed reverse. I do think €360 would have been a good price, if not for the rim hit. My question is, is that "about right" for the coin as-is? The rim cut is just noticeable enough for it to be the kiss of death for my personal collection, but someone else might not mind it so much.
     
    TheNickelGuy likes this.
  4. TheNickelGuy

    TheNickelGuy Well-Known Member

    It wouldn't bother me. Now if this were a modern US key or semi key coin that would be different. I think it's a great coin of a very bad, bad, boy!
     
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  5. The Meat man

    The Meat man Well-Known Member

    Assuming the coin's surfaces haven't been altered (i.e., tooling, excessive smoothing) I would say 360 euros is a very good price. This variety with 'DIVI' in the obverse legend is a scarcer type. If I was looking for a nice Caligula portrait bronze, I'd be very happy with this one.
     
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

  7. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Looks like the hit happened in ancient times, with the Patina on it and all. If it wasn't altered in modern times. It's a nice coin either way. I wouldn't have paid that, if it was an ebay purchase. But, since you bought it at one of those over priced auction houses, all I can do is :rolleyes:.
     
  8. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    How can an auction house be "over priced", if the buyer sets the price himself by bidding? o_O

    If you're referring to the estimate price set by the firm, I find their €100 estimate to be pretty conservative.

    The only way this coin was overpriced was because I accidentally bid too much for it (maybe). That had nothing to do with the auction firm. It's on me, not them.

    (But maybe they will accept a return. We'll see.)
     
  9. ArtDeco

    ArtDeco Well-Known Member

    Might be a controversial idea but maybe you can try to artificially darken that light area inside the rim nick, it's only standing out because of the lightly patina'ed area.

    Otherwise the coin looks quite decent for a bigger bronze coin of Caligula, the portrait looks great and the inscriptions are sharp and pretty much full. I can take it off your hands if you are generous :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2023
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  10. Homer2

    Homer2 Well-Known Member

    My novice opinion is that the lack of a third dimension in auction photos is where the risk lies. Other types of collectibles I have been into in the past have a lot of photos of different angles. Coins auctions are not generous. Great coin, but the damage is a lot more than pictured.
     
  11. cmezner

    cmezner do ut des Supporter

    Your Caligula coin is very attractive @lordmarcovan. The details on both sides are very good. I think the rim-hit is part of it's history, which obviously is not known; it wouldn't bother me at all.:cool:
     
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  12. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Oh well, I suppose it's mine now, for better or for worse.

    upload_2023-12-14_6-36-11.png
     
  13. The Meat man

    The Meat man Well-Known Member

    Sorry!
    Good news is, I don't think you'll have much trouble getting your money back out of it, if you choose to resell.
     
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  14. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Well, we'll find out, I guess. :)
     
    The Meat man likes this.
  15. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    I like the coin, my lord. The portrait style, strike, centering and patina all look good. The rim ding is (to me) an acceptable problem for an ancient coin.
     
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  16. Sulla80

    Sulla80 Well-Known Member

    Looks great to me. I'd call it a fair price looking at ACSearch history and VCoins options. Rim ding balanced by nice details - prices seem to be more and more condition-sensitive every day.
     
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  17. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    One thing I'm curious about is if this is pre strike (error) or post strike (damage). Are you able to see that from how the rim and strike look?
     
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  18. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Looks like post strike damage to me, but who knows.
     
  19. Mammothtooth

    Mammothtooth Stand up Philosopher, Vodka Taster

    If I had the money I would buy it. Nice coin my Lord
     
    lordmarcovan likes this.
  20. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    I think, with time, the initial disappointment will diminish and hopefully the coin will gain in appreciation.

    Here's one that I bought a a year or so ago, and it is not nearly as nice as your example:

    Caligula, AE as, Vesta, 37-38 AD. An eBay purchase.
    10.25 grams

    A little on the rough surface side for condition, I'd say. Off center strike on the reverse as well.

    D-Camera Caligula AE as Vesta 37-38 AD 10.25 grams eBay 1-23-22.jpg
     
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  21. Curtis

    Curtis Well-Known Member

    Well, on this theme, here's a Caligula Vesta AE As that I bought and then sold ~10 years ago. Weird sandy (artificial?) patina, but never ended up budgeting to replace it:
    Caligula Vesta AE As-crop ArtCoinsRoma ACR e-8 771.jpg

    A funny thing about these Divus Augustus AE Dupondii struck under Caligula: If you look at the face on the seated figure on the reverse, you can recognize it as Caligula's (more easily on some better specimens, but I still feel he's recognizable on mine when you look for it):
    Divus Augustus Dupondius ANS Huntington ED.jpg
     
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