Did anyone else participate in the new auction house, Ares numismatic, first auction last month? If so, how was your experience? Also, here is the coin I received from them. I got a screaming good deal for such a rarity. I have suspicions about the patina. Does it look on the up and up? Alexander III 'the Great' (336-323 BC). Ae. Kaunos Diameter: 15mm Weight: 2.16gr Obv: Macedonian shield with pellet in three circles on boss/omphalos. Rev: Macedonian helmet; grain-ear to l., K to r. Price 2072. Below is a link to the type in AC search for comparison... https://www.acsearch.info/search.ht...s=1&thesaurus=1&order=0¤cy=usd&company=
Nice shield coin yet again Ryro. I am not sure about the patina, it looks OK to me but I have not enough experience to comment, so I won't. I bought two very rare Seleukid coins from their last auction, for an absolute steal as well, so I was willing to take the risk for participating in a new unknown auction house. I came across this auction house many month ago since they are based in the Netherlands. I remember they had there own auction platform on their website which was highly unsuccessful (so I guess that is why they switched to biddr). They were also selling on ebay (which seems to be deleted as well), I never bought from them before, but I do remember quite some negative reviews, pretty much all about "lack of communication", "no response" etc.
The patina looks ok to me too, but I think it simply has a wax coating (like Ren wax) applied which often gives the sandy "patina" that look. A bath in hot water and soap with a toothbrush scrub could probably remove the wax layer.
I really appreciate the responses. I sure would love to hear what @Barry Murphy thinks about the coin (if this is an area of interest to him). Glad to hear you got such a good deal @Pavlos! And very interesting about the negative reviews due to communication. Thanks @Justin Lee! I may just try that. Though of course I like the contrast and how it brings out the coins motifs, I don't like "doctored" coins. If that is the case with this coin. PS, sorry for the poor link earlier to coins with the same obverse and not reverse. Here the coins are: https://www.acsearch.info/search.ht...s=1&thesaurus=1&order=0¤cy=usd&company=
Thanks buddy! derp. I cannot believe I left those out of the description! Diameter: 15mm Weight: 2.16gr
Nice coin that looks perfectly authentic. These are rare, but collectors who care may be even rarer. I had two of these in stock one time, and one sold pretty quickly, the other I had for over a year. Barry Murphy
I bought a coin from them at their most recent auction. After a week without a shipping notification, I emailed them and they replied right away and sent the coin.
This is a matter I wish we could get across to beginners. There are a million types of ancient coins and probably thousands that exist in only one or a very few examples. The EID MAR denarii are expensive because there are a hundred of them and several thousand people who would like one. Most coins that exist in only 100 specimens will have trouble finding 100 people who are dying to own one. Most really popular coins that generate high demand exist in great numbers. Will I see a thousand Athenian tetradrachms? Several will sell at this show-----but not to me. The old story goes that the third know example of a coin failed to sell at an auction because there were only two people who cared and they already owned one. I am a general collector who realizes that my collection will never reach a point that I need every coin in areas of interest that mean little or nothing to me. This coin fits in that group as far as I am concerned but I am glad that it found a place in your heart and collection. Friday I will attend a coin show expected to have several ancient dealers. Between them, I expect to see over 10,000 coins and at least 1000 in my price bracket that are reasonably priced. There might be 100 that I consider to be a 'bargain'. I just hope there are a few in the 100 or 1000 that I find interesting. I just hope all of the other shoppers at the show are looking for coins of Alexander, Athens and Otho. All it takes to make a good show is finding that one coin that fits your idea of worth the trip. Last year at this show, I bought a dozen coins and still like ten of them. Is it too much to ask the other few people on earth who might like 'my' treasures will be somewhere else on Friday?
Dead on Doug, In the way back machine I purchased a rare coin (ten known) just because it was rare. After a week I kept looking at it and finally had to admit I really didn't like it. I sold it back to the dealer and he graciously re-purchased it but not for what I paid. That was not a problem for me. I was very happy with the outcome and purchased something from him that I liked. Great lesson learned very early in my ancient collecting passion.
