I’ve been waiting anxiously for this Sundays Zevs auction. I had some coins on my watch list, and one in particular: I was pretty much set for finally getting a silver denarius of Caligula. Zevs offered a pretty beaten up drachm from Caesarea, Cappadocia, one that I considered could be in my buying range, which would be around 500$. The Zevs auctions are fun, I think. With all lots starting at 1£, you can sometimes make good buys. As my lot was #441, I warmed up with a little bargain hunting. I got this AE21 for 18£, and I’m happy to pay that price for this portrait of Zevs: Syria, c. 2nd Century BC, AE , Seleukeia Pieria Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus to right Reverse: ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ / ΤΩΝ ΕΝ ΠΙΕΡΙΑΙ Thunderbolt; below, monogram above; all within wreath Reference: BMC 10-13" I picked up three more coins under 20£, but all my watched lots before Caligula went higher than I wanted to go. Had to keep my powder dry for that drachm. I actually hope some of the Domitian provincials went to some of the Flavian Fanatics on this board. There were some nice ones there. Now, finally lot 441 came. A quite ugly coin. I got more competition than I hoped for, but that’s how it is with silver coins of the mad emperor. They just never go cheap, not this time either. I was high bidder with 320£. I’m very happy with it, although I went 20£ over my limit. Yeah, I know. Not much to brag about. And I don’t even have the coin in hand yet. I should keep it down. But this is a great day for me as a coin collector, and I just want to share the excitement. If the coin gets lost in the mail, at least I’m happy today. This is my ugly duckling (For those unfamiliar with that beautiful story by H.C. Andersen, here it is: http://hca.gilead.org.il/ugly_duc.html ) Do you have a similar story, or an auction purchase that made you happy today? Please share!
Congrats on the wins. I really like the portrait on the bronze. And don't discount that silver Caligula, it's had a tough life, but there is still meat on the bone. My silver one passed through many hands, but I did get it for less then you paid for yours. Caligula (37-41 A.D.) AR Drachm CAPPADOCIA, Caesarea O: C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS Bare head of Caligula to right. R: IMPERATOR PONT MAX AVG TR POT Simpulum and lituus. 3.37g 18mm BMC 102. RIC 63 Sear 1798
Thanks Mat I suspect the coin looks better in hand. I agree it wasn’t a bargain. But that hole in the collection has been aching for years I like yours too. It’s even more worn, but hey; the purpose of money is to be spent, isn’t it?
Congratulations on the wins! That Caligula is a very rare and nice coin, with a good portrait and good reverse. I would be happy to have it in my collection I do believe however that the official denomination of that issue of Caligula, from Caesaria, is drachm, not denarius. Well, not today. But I very recently did however manage to acquire a coin that I have been missing out on a couple of times. That made me very happy. I remember, another coin will always show up, if you miss out on the first, second, even third one. I will post it when it arrives. Here is my Caligula. As you see, it's very worn, more than yours! But this is at good as it gets for me. The ones in better shape are just too expensive.
You are right on both: Sear describes it as a drachm, but it is described next to the denarii. My bad. And I know, there will always be another coin. But I’ve been thinking that about Caligula silver coins for more than 10 years... Today it was time to go and get it.
Congratulations with your win! Well done and a god portrait of Caligula.( I had it on my watchlist although I knew I couldnt make a realistic bid for it) My story for the day:I had my eyes set on two coins in the same Zeus' auction, a 'budget' Boeotian stater and a nice little Cilician obol. I blew my budget on the first (and probably overpaid) so I had to forego bidding on the second. Still, one out of two is not bad and I'm definitely happy with it. It's worn, off centre and looks almost charred, but still had a ton of charm that I couldn't resist. Made my day : Boeotia AR stater, Thebes ca. 390-382 BC, Androkleidas magistrate. 10,45 gr. 23 mm. Obv. Boeotian shield Rev. Krater, ANDR across field.
What a nice coin! Good high relief. It’s easy to get carried away on those auctions. Sounds like you have kept your discipline. Many of the small Greek silver coins went high.
Discipline sounds dignified, thank you. Has a nice Stoic ring to it. Lack of funds would be a more realistic assessment though...
I have a coin I won at auction from Artemide Aste in January of 2019. I thought I was outbid on the coin but some weeks later I got a "past due" email from them. Woops. I had forgotten my high bid. I swear I did not receive a "you won-pay now" email. My lucky day because I really did want the coin. It came with a great antique "holder" also. Tiberius (Augustus) Coin: Brass Sestertius DIVO AVGVSTO SPQR - Statue of Augustus seated left on throne, set on ornate triumphal car drawn by four elephants. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVST PM TR POT XXXVII around large SC - Legend surrounding large S C Mint: Rome (35-36 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 22.00g / 33.50mm / 12h Rarity: Rare References: RIC (Tib.) 62 MIR 2, 52-4 BMCRE 108 (Tiberius) BN 90 (Tiberius) Cohen 307 (Augustus) Provenances: Artemide Aste Acquisition/Sale: Artemide Aste Internet 45E #259 $0.00 12/18 Notes: Jan 23, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection
