I have always been kind of hesitant to purchase a group of coins from an auction. I always wonder why the coins did not deserve a single lot by themselves. So I went ahead and rolled the dice taking a chance of this lot that CNG had in their recent E auction 460. There was only one picture so I am wondering what the other sides look like and if they are hiding something. Description ROMAN. Imperial. Lot of three (3) AR Denarii fo Julia Domna. Includes the following reverse types: Venus seated left (2) // Isis standing right, holding infant Horus. Toned. VF. LOT SOLD AS IS, NO RETURNS. Three (3) coins in lot.
Very simple - CNG has a minimum seller fee for consignments because a fair amount of work (photos, cataloguing etc.) goes into each consignment. At a certain price point, it simply makes no financial sense to list a coin individually.
Nice looking coins. Very stern Julias! I'm guessing the "other sides" will be just fine. I have no idea why they didn't take a photo of the other side - with digital cameras, it isn't like it would take much extra time or any extra expense. And it would head off potential complaints. But I suppose CNG is working at such a high level of coins/money that this stuff is relatively unimportant. On an eBay auction I'd definitely be nagging the seller for another photo!
I guess the question is whether these are worth $140. I have bought lots before that were extremely satisfactory and placed low bids on others that someone else wanted more. This is the nature of the beast.
...they look like fine coins...i like(and want) one of the later lulia coins with her hair like those...
The only problem I have with group lots from CNG is that--cheapskate that I am--I tend to get outbid on them. Whenever I have won one of them, I've always been pleased with the result.
CNG largr lots are usually good quality - my only gripe is that one of the earlier lots I bought (Central Asian coins) described a Hunnic drachm as "features engraved" when they really ment that some buffoon did this to a 1500 year old rare coin Other than that, I've been pleased with my group lot buys, and if I didn't get a good deal, that's just because I got bid-happy. Overall, I have found that CNG is the best auction houses for lots because they rarely contain junk, and it is not uncommon that you will get scarce to rare coins at basically wholesale prices.
