Lost Coin / My Stupidest Coin Mistake

This is the coin that was received in U.S. Customs in New York in February, never to be seen again. If you see this coin for sale anywhere, please let me know.

It’s been counted as lost, and I have received my money back from the Spanish seller.

Still, I’d much rather have the coin than the money, because it’s going to cost me some bucks to replace it at the price point I bought it.

Let me tell you how stupid I am and offer a cautionary tale for others who might make the same mistake.

Once upon a time I had a “good” version of this coin. Then in January I was scrolling through VCoins and saw a VG version at an attractive price. Being a man of limited means, I thought, “I’ll just sell my current denarius and use that money to buy this one.” So I put my denarius on eBay and sold it right away at a fairly low BUY IT NOW price. I figured I’d be out about $30 to upgrade the coin, which was fine.

So now I have neither coin. Stupid, really, since even on my limited budget I had plenty of money to buy the new coin and receive it before putting my old one on the market.

Lesson learned: You never possess the coin until you possess the coin. You'd think that would be a simple principle, wouldn’t you?

Now I’m in the market for a replacement, but it’s probably going to cost me about 50% more than what I had intended to spend even to find a budget version of this denarius.

So post your lost coins, your Aeneas denarii, or your stupidest coin mistake.

 

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Sorry about your loss. Thanks for the cautionary tale.

 

Good advice! Especially since I am upgrading some of my coins as well.

I am sorry for your loss.

 

Sorry about that. The last couple of coins I've purchased from Europe I've had sent FedEx. Not only do they arrive safe, but quick as well. It's more expensive, but better than losing a coin to US Customs.


JULIUS CAESAR
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Diademed head of Venus right.
REVERSE: CAESAR - Aeneas advancing left, carrying Anchises and palladium
Carthage 47 to 46 BC
4.0g, 17mm
CRI 55, Sydenham 1013, RRC 458/1, S 1402

 

Yea, "bird in hand". Many of us have made the same mistakes. And as a dealer I have made this mistake countless times. The problem with being a dealer is that your collection is always potential inventory, so when you decide to upgrade you have an easy way to dispose of the coin. But we all know what happens as Gavin points out.

The same situation can be applied to hoards. I have always advised people to take advantage of a current hoard. If you want one and there are hundreds or even thousand on the market, dont assume they will always be there, or at the current price levels. I can advise that eventually they disappear into collections, most not to be seen again in our lifetimes. Even if they do come around again prices will be much higher.

I remember a seemingly endless hoard of Athenian New Style tetradrachms many years ago. They sold on average about $75 in solid VF. Those same coins now sell between $500 and $1,000 (depending on many factors of course). The examples are endless. So, take advantage now, if you can!

 

My biggest mistake was not keeping my Antony Legion VI denarius in VF-EF condition which I acquired back in the 80's for $60. I sold my coins in 85 to fund my college tuition. Now I realize that this coin could command ten times that much on the open market.

 

it's the egg and the hatch thing.. i can't show my lost or stolen coins for i have no pics of them. sorry for you loss...or rather your unrealized expectations..

 

I'd like to post an image of the 1670 Bristol farthing that I tossed into the dustbin whilst all the while still in it's shipping envelope. But alas, I sent it to the landfill an' a nice token it was.

That said, at least I didn't doff off a $4 Stella like Fred Weinberg did a few years hence.

 

Very sorry for your loss, Gavin. I just received this example of the same type a few days ago.

 

I made the same mistake while in school, also circa 1985. I needed cash and decided I'd sell my ancient coin collection to help pay tuition. Brought the coins to a show intending to sell them as a group. Instead, dealers cherry-picked the best stuff and left me the dregs (many of which I still own). Oh, how I wish I'd kept the good stuff!

 

the magic word is "needed cash"(well, 2 words).. while now, when your bellies are full, it's always gonna look different looking back.

 

Sorry to hear the story, but at least you've learned something !

My example of the OP coin


Julius Caesar, Denarius minted in North Africa c.47-46 BC
No legend, Diademed head of Venus right
CAESAR, Aeneas left, bearing Anchises on his shoulder
3.91 gr
Ref : HCRI # 55, RCV #1402, Cohen #12

Q

 

I think many of us have been in this situation (or will be). Youth and inexperience are frequent factors leading to regret. Many years ago I made a mistake on my annual sales tax form. I owed the state $300 more than I had paid, but in those days that was a gigantic and nearly insurmountable amount. So, I sold some things (what else to do). If I were to replace those items now it would probably cost me $5,000. With the magic of time and experience I would have done it differently. I now now I could have made payments, for example. I could have sold lesser items (but only with current knowledge though).

Back in those days there was no internet and few ways to connect for advice. Now its the opposite. We can get opinions and advice pretty much instantly. That is one reason why I love CoinTalk. We can impart our knowledge and experience.

 

I've lost more coins in the mail than I can remember over the years. As far as mistakes I offered $30 on a legit Dardanian Mine coin that was $40 buy it now on ebay and went to bed. The seller countered with $35 but I was asleep and someone just paid the $40 before it ended. Why I didn't buy it outright I will always wonder. One sold on Roma recently in similar condition for around $500. I don't have any photos of it, which is probably a good thing.

 

@ancient coin hunter, @Carausius
At least you did something useful with the money.
I sold my modest collection of early to mid 1900s silver when I was in highschool. For nothing x2 (bought crap). As a kid I had spent years trading other coins and goods to build my collection.

 

..aka i hear ya bro

 

I understand what you are saying and mean, but I hope that others dont take offense at the post. Those of us who are either Jewish, Arab or just know the cultures and differences between them understand.

Just trying to diffuse any issues before they arise. I have many friends who are both cultures and their take on selling (and buying) is very different. Its just a cultural thing.

 

i hope it's not taken wrong either, i put a disclaimer within it, but perhaps i should remove it. thanks Ken.

 

I wont advise you to edit (or not) anything, but appreciate you bringing it up. There are many different cultural differences on business and how we all interact with one another. Some cultures start out offering a very high price and haggle down to the lower levels. Others start low and end high. It really is fascinating when one thinks about it. In my (distant) college says I studied anthropology and archaeology, so it is of great interest to me. Add to this there is another spectrum which has no cultural significance, but one of which is personal: offer a coin at one price, non-negotiable.

 

But, your education is priceless.