How often do Caligula denarii come along, and for how much?

I've managed to get a coupe Aes at a great price, they were mis-attributed; you can see why though.

 

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I've got one like yours, lots of corrosion but hey at least we got
one.

 

I agree. Compared to a whole lot of ancient coins they are scarcish at best. Its the artificial demand of people collecting the "12 Caesars" of Seutonius that causes prices to be high.

I bet I could find 100 Caligula denari for sale for every Constantine VII silver coin naming Christopher. Lucky for me, there are at least 1000 time more collectors wanting the Caligula than the Christopher piece. Still took me nearly a decade to get one.

However, I find the chase to be to hobby. If every coin was available all of the time and it was only a matter of money, (like US collecting), where is the fun and challenge?

 

That's what makes the story I referenced ("Twelve Caesars, Nine Years, and 856 Dollars" https://community.vcoins.com/wp-content/uploads/thecelator/18-4/index.html) and other stories (such as TIF's "Adventures in Bidland" http://www.tifcollection.com/adventures-in-bidland) so engaging and enjoyable: it's the universality of the challenge/chase/quest for ancient coins that makes this segment of numismatics so different from most others, regardless of where your focus lies.

 

That is true and it's articles like this that make me miss reading Celator. Shame it's gone. Still had a year left in my subscription.

 

There are some interesting provincial issues of Calligula, too, that won't cost an arm and a leg. Here's one of mine, for example:

Roman provincial AE 28
Carthago Nova, Spain
28 mm, 11.17 gm
Obv: C. CAESAR AVG. GERMANIC. IMP. P.M. TR.P. COS., laureate head of Caligula, r.
Rev: CN. ATEL. FLAC. CN. POM. FLAC. II. VIR. Q.V.I.N.C., head of Salus (some attribute to Caesonia, wife of Calligula) r., SAL AVG across field.
SGI 419; Heiss 272, 35; Cohen 247, 1; RPC 1, 185; SNG Cop 503

 

That is an interesting example @Roman Collector

I have never seen one like it. Very nice.

 

A few questions: How does the fact there are a dozen Caligula denarii currently on sale relate to it being a rare coin? At any given moment are a higher percentage of Caligula denarii in existence on the market than other coins that may show up once a year at most and may sell for less. I suspect that the number of people who want a Caligula for keeps and the number who want one for resale to other investment oriented buyers is a different proportion than Medoraman's example of a Constantine VII silver coin naming Christopher. The most rare legionary denarius of Septimius Severus (my specialty) sells for less than a Caligula in similar condition but compare the number of I MIN, XXII PRI and XXX VLP sold this year to three Caligula types. For that matter, I wonder if there have not been more Caligulas than all the Legionaries. Do many well to do collectors try to collect every Caligula or is the demand mostly for the portrait? I know of a collector specializing in Otho. Is there a specialist in Caligula? Regalianus? Everything?

 

Thanks-- I'm glad you enjoyed that writeup!

I agree with the sentiment. If I just want to look at pretty coins I have gobs of high-end catalogs, books, a seemingly infinite number of coins to admire in online databases.

While it is always entertaining in some way to see coins here, what I really to know is why the person bought that coin, as well as some history I can't get from the auction catalog.

 

I'm certainly in agreement with this idea. However I wonder just how many of us really put thought into why we are buying a particular coin. Many have a want list that is extremely general. How many was a Caligula --- any Caligula or a coin we don't have or a coin that seems a bargain. I often buy a coin for some little detail that shows well on that coin but may not be as well done on 99% of similar coins. Sometimes I mention such things here but I really get the impression that few people care about such minuscule things. When I posted this one the first time I may or may not have pointed out that I bought it for the hair line not because I wanted a Paula. Crazy?

 

. Perhaps. Probably. Aren't we all to some degree or another?

 

Good point, big-brother

 

I find the hair very interesting. You never know what others will also think is cool, but even if they don't, who cares! You had fun with it.

I am actually looking at buying a coin now. Its been on the big list for a while, but not really a priority. However, something just hit me likena ton of bricks about the importance of the design. If I win it I will post here. Its a type a few members have, but just today it struck me why I MUST own one, (or three most likely eventually).

 

No, not crazy. Sometimes I buy a coin simply because it makes me laugh

There's not a right or wrong reason to collect ancient coins, although I'm guilty of being biased against people who buy high end coins merely as investments or because someone (or some TPG or some auction cataloger) told them it was a great coin-- in which case the coin may not be adequately appreciated by the new owner.

Buy them for love, or at least for like

 

It is hard to pass up on a coin on your want list just because it is ordinary in style but you always run the risk of settling on Wednesday just to find they post exactly what you want on Thursday. In my case, I buy ordinary style, boring examples at bargain prices and pay a lot more for coins with a secret surprise inside. When my coins are sold, it is unlikely that the next owner will care. In the case of the Paula, most people would pay more for a coin with normal hair and no dirt spot over her eye.

 

Here's another example of an interesting sestertius of Caligula that is heavily worn and a bit rough but pretty cool for what it is... This example is what a high grade sestertius would have looked like, selling for over $250,000.00

 

And sometimes 6 reasons may still not add up to a single good one, but you go ahead and buy the coin anyway and it ends up growing on you.


My six reasons for this one were:
1. Doug and Martin have loads of these Eastern mint Sep Sev denarii, so there must be something to them!
2. The previous collector - Curtis Clay - clearly had a few of his own he needed help getting rid of, and I like being helpful that way .
3. I had credit to spend with the seller (for some reason I always think this is a good reason).
4. I don't have a CERERI FRVG coin (clutching at the proverbial straws at this point).
5. The SEV SEV obverse legend error made me chuckle (actual legitimate reason).
6. Actually, I do think this is a pretty excellent coin!

 

I agree. Ceres is far from common compared to some other Eastern reverses.

 

There was an article years ago in The Celator relating to the hair styles of the women on Roman coinage. It was a great article and just one more example of how one can formulate a collecting theme on ancients.

There was a recurring theme back then in the magazine, what can one get with a set amount of money. I think there were several articles based on taking $100 to a coin show and what could one find for that? Neat articles, and some great coins found. I imagine it is much easier now to find bargains with Ebay and the internet.

 

Was it a reprint of "Hair-dressing of Roman Ladies by Lady Evan?

I have the small book of it.