Your opinion please.

I own an Ae Antoninanus-Diocletian bronze coin and when I was doing research to sell or trade it online, I noticed that there weren't any other ones I could find that we're in as good of condition. Do you agree that the condition is pretty rare considering it's over 1,700 years old. Or am I incorrect, thank you for your input

 

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A nicely collectible coin but not in superb condition. Should not be hard to find coins in better condition online. My advice is to keep it and be happy with it.

 

Thanks! I've Just Seen sellers on eBay pricing this coin for ridiculous amounts of money, and they're always a lot more worn or hard to make out.

 

To the layperson, it does seem odd that there exists coins from 1700 years ago at all, let alone in any readable condition. They are trying to get buyers who are unfamiliar with the hobby and "make a buck" on them.

Here are 2 of my similar coins that were purchased for under $25 each (there certainly are better examples than mine out there as well):

Diocletian, Ruled 285-305 AD
AE Antoninianus (silvered)
Struck 285 AD, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, bust of Diocletian, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right.
Reverse: IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG, Jupiter, standing right, holding globe in right hand and sceptre in left hand, and Hercules, standing left, holding Victory in right hand and club and lion’s skin in left hand, A officina designation above, mintmark XXI.
References: RIC V 323


Maximianus, First Reign 286-305 AD
AE Antoninianus, Struck 293 AD, Antioch Mint
Obverse: IMP C M A MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, bust of Maximian, radiate, cuirassed, right.
Reverse: CONCORDIA MILITVM, Maximian, draped, cuirassed, standing right, holding sceptre in right hand and receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter; Jupiter, standing left, holding scepter; ЄΔ below; •XXI in exergue.
References: RIC V 621, Cohen 54
Size: 21.8mm, 3.4g

Agreed. Be happy with it. And may this make your eye more keen to what is out there and available.

 

My records don't show what I paid, but I'd imagine it was less than $50

 

Question: When an ancient coin like yours says "silvered" does that refer to the coloration from aging/patina? Or does that mean that the metal is mixed with silver?

 

The mint workers applied a silver wash to what was essentially a bronze coin underneath. This would give the coin a shiny appearance for awhile, until the coating wore off. Probably a move to try to increase public confidence in the official money issued by the government. However, as more and more of these coins were struck in great quantities, public confidence dropped and inflation became rampant - to the point where Diocletian issued an Edict on maximum prices that merchants could charge for goods and services. The punishment for violating the edict was death - seemingly this was not enforceable so inflation continued.

 

Diocletian.
22 mm. 4.99 grams.
RIC V.II 306 Cyzicus
Bought on eBay in 2010 for less than $20, shipping included.

 

Found one in a lot of uncleaned coins. Unfortunately, my camera isn't working and I haven't done any cleaning at all. I know, no pics it doesn't exist. I will get back to you when I get something presentable.

 

I was surprised to find I already own three of his coins, all of them picked up for less than £20.
This is the latest edition purchased for £7.30 on the 15th Feb via a trusted seller on ebay. I intend to study up on Diocletian in the near future (Working on Constantine I at present).


DIOCLETIAN (291 AD) Issued under Maximian, Lugdunum mint
Obv; IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG. Bust of Diocletian, read, draped, cuir right.
Rev; PAXX AVGG. Pax, draped, standing left, holding Victory on globe in right hand and sceptre in left hand. A in ex. RIC V Diocletian 67

 

Yes, hence my interest in some self study on this Emperor.
I kind of forgot the OP was interested in selling their coin, something I am most definitely not going to do.....they are all my cherished extended family and all with a story to tell.

 

Here is a page on the coins of the First Tetrarchy, which he founded:

http://augustuscoins.com/ed/tetrarchy/


Diocletian
27 mm. 8.37 grams. Follis
IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG
MONETA S AVGG ET CAESS NN
RIC VI Trier 549a

For a page on "SACRA MONETA" varieties, see here:
http://augustuscoins.com/ed/tetrarchy/SACRAMONETA.html
Trier reverses the first two words (and abbreviates "SACRA" to "S"). Also, the other mints have this type with head right, whereas Trier has bust right.

 

Ooooh, I can’t wait to get started! Thank you.

 

Never, ever trust eBay pricing for ancient coins. There are some reputable sellers, but there is also a sea of junk not worth buying, and a sea of common coins that are worth collecting, but egregiously overpriced.

 

eBay would be a great place to buy coins if they went back to charging for listings that do not sell rather than encouraging overpriced listings which can be relisted over and over until someone buys it. It is a business model that appeals to many and works as long as there are people with more money than sense.
This Diocletian shows about half of the original silvering. It would be more attractive with all or none. It was $21.25 on eBay. Many coins are priced high but more reasonable ones sell better.

 

Hence, I've never bought a coin on Ebay. But I'd love to have a worn Constantine the Great campgate reverse type for $350. What a deal - after all IT IS A REAL ANCIENT COIN FROM ROMAN TIMES!

 

I got a decent silvered example for $15.22, and I still felt I overpaid.

 

I got mine really cheap :
Diocletian, Antoninianus c285 AD , Antioch mint .
Rev: Jupiter and Hercules holding victory

 

Actually, there is a way to use eBay to get some idea of the market value of coins. Just scroll down the auctions and mark "Watch" on any coin that you are interested in. Then go back and check the closing price. Keeping in mind that most ancient coin auctions on eBay usually close at about 1/2 to 2/3 the price the coin would usually go for from a dealer or auction house, over time you can get a pretty good idea of the market. For example, there are probably enough denarii of Trajan up for auction right now that, by watching them, you could develop a sense of what a typical Trajan denarius is worth in different conditions within a few weeks.