Opinions choosing between two coins

I got a drachm from Chios on my eye and I am ready to afford one. I am trying to find a drachm that fits within my budget and I found two, but I am doubting a lot now which one to choose...

The first:


What I really like about this coin is the head... I noticed it is quite hard to find a proper looking head. Also, the body is quite complete, the amphora and grapes are acceptably visible. The reverse... not that special.

The second:

This one is nice and complete, the body (the wings more detailed), amphora, grapes, the reverse looking really good as well. I little bit crystallized unfortunately. However, I am not so fond of the head, it looks good but not that good compared with the previous one.

If I want to get better then this I need to go a lot over my budget, these coins are quite pricey when they are perfectly looking, I think these 2 coins fit good in my budget/quality ratio.

I know that it is normally a personal opinion to choose between coins, but I would like to hear what you guys think, both from personal perspective and numismatic perspective. Or should I wait for even better coins to come?

Thank you!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I like the second coin more but well, that's just my opinion. On the second one, I feel like I'm actually seeing wings, and not some weird thing on its back. However, both are still looking good in a collection.

 

What is the price difference?

 

Tough choice but I like the second also. Why? I don't know, I just do.

 

Go with number 1. The Sphinx's face is well-rendered and well-preserved. The rest is just pleasing circulation wear. If you go with number 2, you'll never be happy with the Sphinx's visage.

 

I agree. The facial features of the sphinx is the difference for me.

 

#2 has a lot going for it, but I keep coming back to the face on #1, and that’s the one I’d buy.

 

I'd pick the second example. Its better centered, more robust and has a better reverse. Many may not notice but the finely detailed reverse patterns are a bit harder to obtain and dont always have this level of detail.

 

I'd wait for #1's style with the wing detail of #2. There's no need to hurry - it's a common enough type. #2's head will distract you enough to keep looking at others and you might regret the purchase when a nice one finally appears.

 

Good advice.

Overall, #2 is a better coin for its better detail (except for the face) and better centering. But if the face bothers you, it's not the coin for you.

Also, I'm not 100% sure that the facial features on #1 haven't been slightly "enhanced" -- the details seem far too sharp when compared with the rest of the coin's wear.

 

Ditto on the 2nd coin.

 

My thoughts as well. I find coin 2 very superior.

Good discussion about the peculiarities of our area of the hobby, how different collectors can honestly prefer different coins.

 

Thank you for all your valuable opinions guys. I want to point out that #2 is around 210 dollars and #1 is ~40$ less.

I am thinking to go for #2... or neither. Is 210 dollars a good price or can I easily obtain a nicer one for the same price or 10-20% more? If so, I will definitly wait.

 

I like #1 best - better face
I think you are right to research a coin, especially one that stretches your coin budget. You did not give info on the coins.

• Are they the same age? I would guess the first one is older, but I know next to nothing about coins from Chios. Maybe someone here can give you a web site on the coins.
• Are they about the same weight? A quick look on acsearch.info and in CNG's archives gives coins from obol to stater with a wide variety of weights.

 

My first reaction is to go with #2. True, no facial details, but I like the overall obverse centering better.

 

At those prices, consider buying them both.....if you are a Chios collector.

 

I think that the price is actually a tad on the low side, I think on average these are about $250-300. Sure, one can point to previous auctions where similar coins sold for say $100, but that is very random and scattered over the last decade. Not a rare coin, but it doesn't come up for sale constantly like some issues. Trying to wait for the perfect example is always next to impossible. I suggest you buy the coin you like now, and if you can upgrade in the future do so and sell the old one.

 

I would do the second......there is more detail and it seems you like it better.

 

I'd wait for a coin that did not come with questions. Of the two, I prefer #2 mostly for that wild reverse texture and the bit of remaining wing detail but my general experience is selecting between two problems rarely goes well when the coin is common enough that you will see another soon. I am particularly bothered by Ides' thought on the face being retouched. I'd want to see it under magnification first.

 

Respectfully, I see this advise as having some issues. Consider the fact that some people are just simply indecisive. They need an additional boost to put them over the edge. Others may not not be experienced with a type. As such they may not know that there might be dozens of other coins available in better grade and maybe price as well. Also we dont always know what is acceptable to the questioner. Is it price, grade, time for buying, etc? Can one person wait 15 years for a coin that fits or just months, weeks, etc?

Price is often the biggest component and I have found the most contentious. Loads of people will frequently say a coin is priced too high, but most often that it just based on emotion and not reality.