2 ROMA auction wins on Thanksgiving

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by happy_collector, Nov 26, 2020.

  1. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Happy Thanksgiving to all!

    This morning is my first time attending ROMA auction. I placed bids on a couple of inexpensive pieces. Picked up a few, and especially happy about these two Faustina.

    15284.12.64_1.jpg Faustina II Æ Dupondius. Circa AD 145-146.
    13.55g, 27mm, 10h.
    Obv: FAVSTINAE AVG P II AVG FIL, draped bust to right
    Rev: VENVS, Venus standing to left, holding apple and rudder, around which dolphin coiled; S-C across fields.
    RIC III 1409a (Pius); BMCRE 2162 (Pius).

    Comment: I like the shiny brass surface.

    5013.7.5_1.jpg
    Faustina II Æ Sestertius. Rome, AD 161-176.
    27.57g, 32mm, 6h.
    Obv: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust to right, wearing stephane
    Rev: TEMPOR FELIC, Fecunditas standing to left, holding an infant on each arm; two children standing facing her to either side below, the inner children raising their arms to her; S-C across fields.
    RIC III 1674 (Aurelius); BMC (Aurelius) 952.

    Comment: The reverse is of poor condition, but somehow I like the Faustina portrait a lot. The large coin size (Sestertius) is a plus.

    I recalled @panzerman picked up a cool gold coin while doing vacuum this morning. Wonder if other CT members have any pickup today.
     
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  3. ambr0zie

    ambr0zie Dacian Taraboste

    Congratulations! I find both coins attractive, especially the Sestertius!
     
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  4. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Thanks!
     
  5. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    In the Modern world we call these circam.
    Neat coin the brass contrasted with a dark purple patina.
    I like it.
     
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  6. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Those are two really nice coins. I do especially like the obverse of your second coin - a wonderful portrait, sensitively rendered.

    I had some success bidding on an Athens tetradrachm (oh no, not another one!), an imitation of the Tigranes II tetradrachm:

    [​IMG]

    Kings of Armenia, Tigranes II 'the Great' Imitative AR Tetradrachm. Samosata(?), after circa 69-66 BC. Draped bust to right, wearing Armenian tiara with five peaks and emblazoned with star between two eagles; bead and reel border around / [BA]ΣIΛEOΣ TIΓPANOY, Tyche of Antioch seated to right on rock pile, holding palm frond, river god Orontes swimming to right below; TP monogram to inner right; all within laurel wreath. ACV 35; CAA 24-25; Kovacs 123 (same obv. die). 15.31g, 27mm, 12h.

    Near Very Fine.


    And an Æ 30mm of Mysia, Kyzikos (nice patina and strike):

    [​IMG]

    Mysia, Kyzikos Æ 30mm. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Circa 3rd century AD. KVZIKOC, diademed head of Kyzikos to right / KVZIKHNΩN NЄOKOPΩ, two serpent-entwined torches. Cf. SNG France 606-15. 15.47g, 30mm, 6h.

    Near Extremely Fine. Very Rare.

    Oops! I forgot to post the Athenian tetradrachm. The Starr and archaic tetradrachms did quite well, especially factoring the 20% buyer's fee. Other tetradrachms did not make their estimates. I imagine many were purchased by dealers. Still, some mass production examples realized very healthy prices, particularly if they met, or came near to meeting the all-important "full crest" criterion.

    There was one curious lot, 197, which was described as being unusually lightweight at 17.01 grams, which I don't consider as being lightweight at all - very strange. The hammer price for that lot was £800.

    Here's my lot:

    [​IMG]

    Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31. 17.20g, 24mm, 11h.

    Good Extremely Fine.




     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2020
  7. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Thanks! The contrast is a big plus for the coin.
     
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  8. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Thanks! I like both your latest additions. For the Tigranes II tetradrachm, I always wonder if the ancient kings did wear such a large size crown.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2020
  9. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Congratulations on your Roma successes! Nice wins. I went 1/2. Got the Mysia EL Myshemihekte/ missed the AV 10 Asses from Etruria:(
     
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  10. gsimonel

    gsimonel Well-Known Member

    I placed about a dozen bids in this auction, but I didn't win any of them. My first thought was "Yep. Ridiculously low estimates." But when I checked the site this morning, I was surprised to see how many lots went unsold. So I guess it's more a question of how difficult it is to predict what a coin will sell for rather than deliberately low-balling estimates to entice bidders.

    Anyway, I'll keep trying. Hopefully I'll have some wins to show next time.

    Congratulations to everyone who will be receiving a new coin from this auction!
     
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  11. BenSi

    BenSi Well-Known Member

    I picked up some small gold coins. I took a fancy to this one in particular and I won it.
    Anastasius.jpg
    Anastasius I AV Tremissis. Constantinople, AD 491-518. D N ANASTASIVS P P AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory advancing right, head to left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. MIBE 13; DOC 10; Sear 8. 1.49g, 15mm, 4h.

    Near Extremely Fine.

    From the collection of Z.P., Austria

    and this one.
    justin II.jpg

    Justin II AV Tremissis. Constantinople, AD 565-578. D N IVSTINVS P P AVI, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust to right / VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM, Victory advancing right, head to left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; star in right field, CONOB in exergue. MIBE 11a; DOC 13; Sear 353. 1.44g, 16mm, 7h.

    Good Very Fine; test punch to obv.

    I got another Heraclius AV Tremissis I guess I am starting a new collection. Just paid so I hope to see them soon. I like Roma.

    Congrats on your wins @happy_collector
     
  12. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    I like Roma too!
    Their catalogues are #1 for detail/ excellent photos/ layout.
    John
     
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  13. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    I look forward to seeing their future catalog. I didn't have any yet, since yesterday was my first time win. On the other hand, I like all the details the Roma staff include in the online auction, especially those on Roman provincials.
     
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  14. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Thanks! I agree it is difficult to predict how much a specific coin would sell for in the auction. There are a number of rare Roman provincials I feel I should have bid on, now that I see their not-too-high hammer prices. Well, there is always another Roma auction coming up. I see one coming up in mid-December...
     
  15. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Thanks! I like your selections. The obverse portraits are very nice. I would imagine they look cool when placed side-by-side. :)
     
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  16. PeteB

    PeteB Well-Known Member

    "The reverse is of poor condition"
    Happy-collector, I think the reverse on your second coin is quite good!!!
    Great buy!
     
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  17. BenSi

    BenSi Well-Known Member

    The just sent an email for e sale 77Dec 17th. Lol
     
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  18. Seated J

    Seated J Well-Known Member

    I initially read this and thought: Man, that guy even has gold coins in his carpet!
     
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